The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, has criticised faith-leaders in the country for not being honest with Nigerians concerning insecurity.
The Sultan, who is the Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), stated this on Wednesday at the Second Tri-Annual Meeting of NIREC in Abuja.
He warned that the Council risks irrelevance except faith leaders embrace sincerity, accountability and honest engagement.
The warning of the monarch is coming as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), pressed for stronger action on insecurity, while the Federal Government dismissed global allegations of religious persecution.
According to him, NIREC had drifted from its founding purpose and must urgently confront internal contradictions weakening its credibility.
“Many years ago, when I walked in here, the atmosphere was very, very friendly and loving. Anyone seeing the discussions and chats going on then would immediately know we were in a happy mood. Now, unless something is wrong somewhere, we need to ask ourselves some questions,” the royal father said.
“We sit down and say so many good things to one another, knowing God owns everything. Yet, when we go out, away from our comfort zone, we begin to say negative things about one another. Are we really honest with ourselves?” he queried.
The Sultan said NIREC must determine whether to continue ‘in name only,’ overhaul its operations, or return to its founding ethos.
“Let’s discuss so that we agree on one thing: should this NIREC continue as the founding fathers brought it into the world? Do we continue these discussions if we only laugh here and then go behind each other’s backs to destroy what we have built?” he asked.
He praised Cardinal John Onaiyekan for exemplifying sincerity and moral consistency, recalling their partnership since the early days of NIREC.
