Arewa pastors to Buhari: Churches used to preach violence

The Arewa Pastors Peace Initiative Nigeria yesterday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja and told him that some pastors were using churches to preach violence and hate.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Presiding Bishop John Abu Richard said they visited Buhari to counter those concocting fake news to destroy his good intentions for Nigeria, especially those giving the impression that the president was against Christians and certain ethnic groups.

He described the president as a ‘God-sent’ timely leader to rescue and restore Nigeria back to her pride; the reason he said they fasted and prayed last year with over 1,000 archbishops, bishops, pastors and evangelists for Buhari’s healing.

“Your Excellency, we the 19 Northern States pastors under the new platform called the Arewa pastors nondenominational initiative for peace in Nigeria believe in your leadership and we are here to let you know that we are fully standing by you and your government to ensure that you succeed and peace is restored to every and corners of the country.

“And deceiving to counter those and poisoning Nigerians with fake news to destroy your good intentions for the country especially those giving the impression that you are against Christians and some ethnic groups in Nigeria, which is a big lie for instance: Some Pastors using places of worship to preach hate, people using Church to preach violence. If you preach war and war broke out, who will go to Church for worship,” he said.

The cleric said the allegation of Islamisation agenda against the president was propaganda by the opposition.

He said they wanted Buhari to support their 5,000 Arewa Pastors Peace and Unity National delegate prayer congress billed to hold at the Eagle Square in Abuja on April 26.

President Buhari told the delegation that accusation of religious bias against his administration was far from the truth.

Buhari, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, was speaking to a delegation of the Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria led by Bishop John Abu Richard.

“In my career as a soldier, administrator, and politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.

“When I had the honour to lead a Military Government there were more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and the Supreme Military Council.

“This was not by design but I appointed people on their merit without the slightest bias. The present Federal Executive Council is also evenly balanced; again not by design but by respecting and rewarding individual qualities,’’ Buhari said.

He called on religious leaders to work towards the broader goal of building a strong and unified nation.

He also urged them to avoid insinuations that could divide the populace, especially along religious lines.