Sultan decries resurgence of insecurity after 2023 elections

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The President of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 had decried the resurgence of insecurity in some states of the federation after 2023 elections.

Sultan who made this known Thursday at 2023 second quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja with theme: “Media and Effective Leadership for Nation Building” took a swipe at the media accusing them of playing both positive and negative roles during the 2023 elections.

Sultan who is also cochairman of NIREC lamented openly the swift resurgence of crime and other forms of insecurity across the country immediately after the 2023 general poll.

In his opening speech, Sultan remarked that media plays a critical role in nation building, development and should always strive to be involved in all activities and programmes of the government.

His words, “There is need to foster interfaith stability. The role of the media is vital. You are all aware of what transpired during the 2023 elections. The role media played, positively and negatively. We need to listen to the leaders of the media group to know the role they will play in the next dispensation. The theme of the meeting is apt because across the world we have seen how they worked.

“Take a look at what’s happening across the countries of the world where the media compromise in quality, facts and truth. it’s unfortunate that Sudan is passing through war and the role of the media is crucial in ending or prolonging the war”.

Sultan tasked media practitioners to see their profession as call to better humanity, society and not to cause destabilization.

He informed that only selfless attitude would help media practitioners to eschew selfishness and work for the good and development of nation and humanity.

He stated that the media has the power and platform to cause and end crisis, given the fact they have enough information to set different religions and ethnic nationalities on a collusion, hence the need for the professionals to understand the situation in Nigeria.

He commended the media professionals who never compromised quality and truth in their work, particularly during the just concluded general elections.

In his address, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha said that NIREC was the body saddled with the responsibility of providing leadership for the religious institutions in the country towards a harmonious and peaceful coexistence of the citizenry.

He said the blueprint and terms of reference of NIREC provided the space and capacity that can give Nigeria a national renaissance and peaceful coexistence.

Also speaking, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and co-chairman of NIREC, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said that despite our differences, we have proven that we can live peacefully with one another which should be celebrated.

In his introductory remarks, the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua said to grow a healthy society, there was need for justice, good governance as each level and societal class needed some kind of coordination for peaceful coexistence.