Don’t divide Nigeria based on Religious sentiments – Buhari

Former Head of State and Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammed Buhari, (retd), yesterday, said religion should strengthen the corporate existence of Nigeria as well as unite citizens and therefore, should not be used to divide the country.

Meantime, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has called on Nigerians to choose wisely in the forthcoming 2015 general elections, saying, “God’s will shall be done.”

The duo spoke at the 8th edition of the Annual Lagos Thanksgiving Service under the administration of Fashola in Ikeja where eminent personalities were in attendance, including Buhari’s running mate, Professor Yemi Osibajo.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye later delivered a sermon titled the “Truth” where he quoted various Bible passages to butrres his point.

According to Buhari, religion must never be used to divide the nation or be used by anyone to oppress or gain unfair advantage.

He emphasized that all Nigerians must be free to worship God according to their beliefs and that no one should be oppressed or intimidated because of his faith.

Buhari charged government at all levels on the promotion of peace, security and development of the, pointing out that the duty of government was not religion.

Buhar said he was glad to have been invited to attend the service even as a Muslim and that he saw the gesture and the gathering of people of diverse faiths as a great lesson in religious tolerance.

“I am honoured to participate in this year`s edition of the Lagos Thanksgiving Service. And commended Fashola and his wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola for this kind invitation .

“I am glad to know that this year`s service has brought together Nigerians of all faiths just to thank and praise the Almighty God for his mercies.

“This is how it should be. Religion must never be used to divide or oppress others or gain unfair advantage .All my life, I have always held the belief that all Nigerians must be fee to worship God according to their beliefs.

“The duty of government is not religion ,the duty of government is to ensure peace, security of all Nigerians ,regardless of tribe, race or religion. And this is a commitment all of us must make in this service“ he said.

In his address, Fashola said Nigerians still had good reasons to thank God for the New Year in spite of the various challenges that confronted the country in 2014.

He said “Some of our brothers and sisters in the military have lost their lives while trying to defend you and I and the Fatherland.

I ask you all what else we can do than to give thanks, express our gratitude and praise God for surviving.”

Fashola said it is important for people to know that they are alive not because they are better, but because of grace and mercy which should never take it for granted.

“Our appreciation must be reflected in our attitude of gratitude. In some parts of West Africa today, Government has been forced to declare a lock down of people and restrict movement in this season of festivity because an infectious disease caused by the Ebola Virus is yet to be brought under control.

“These countries are smaller than Lagos, Lagos is in fact bigger than many of them combined. Yet the same virus afflicted us, we sadly lost 13 lives, but today we are not under lock down.

He said it was high time the people focused their common humanity, and those things that they share together and focus less on those things that are different about them.

According to him, “Our languages, our religion, our ethnic origins are accidents of our birth and not the essential content of our humanity. If our creator wanted us to be the same it is not difficult for him to do so.

“Your faith is not better than mine, and if you think it is, I cannot quarrel with your opinion. You must respect my right to practice mine. That is why we gather today in the Centre of Excellence to thank and praise God together, Christians of different denominations, Moslems with different affiliations and traditionalists, because we are all grateful. That is the Spirit of Lagos.”

He used the opportunity to solicit support for APC candidates , saying “I hope you will choose wisely, I hope you will choose experience. I hope you will not experiment.”

Among those who offered prayers include: Rev, Mike Okonkwo, founder of the Redeemed Evangelical Ministry (TREM) and Pastor Wale Adefarasin of the House on the Rock Church of God.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and the Party National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammmed.