Peace and Dialogue Network Urges Politicians, Religious Leaders to “Stop Divide and Rule” ahead of 2027
Our Correspondent
The Peace and Dialogue Network, PDN, has called on politicians and religious leaders across Nigeria to respect each other’s boundaries and stop what it described as the “politics of divide and rule” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement made to this medium, PDN President, Reverend Dr. Michael Jonathan Alhassan, warned that as campaigns and political mobilization intensify, there is a growing risk of politics being used to divide religious communities and religious institutions being used for political manipulation.
“Let us stop the unnecessary interference in the responsibilities of others. Let every person respect the office, authority, and responsibilities entrusted to another person,” Alhassan said.
“Politics should not be used as a tool to divide religious leaders from their followers, nor should religious institutions be used as instruments for political manipulation.”
According to PDN, Christian and Muslim religious leaders should defend their people, encourage peaceful civic participation, provide accurate information, promote tolerance and dialogue, and educate followers on peaceful elections.
For politicians, the group said their mandate is political rather than religious.
“A politician who is a Christian should not assume the responsibilities of the pastor, bishop, or reverend. Likewise, a Muslim politician should not assume the responsibilities of an imam or Mallam,” Alhassan stated.
He urged politicians who wish to engage faith communities to consult the appropriate leaders first, rather than bypass them and gather worshippers in churches or mosques without consent.
The PDN President said the practice of bypassing religious leaders is already creating “a dangerous gap” between religious and political institutions.
He listed the consequences as suspicion and mistrust, division among religious communities, conflict between politicians and religious leaders, manipulation of worshippers, and potential clashes within communities.
“We must not allow political ambition to destroy religious and community leadership structures,” he said.
Alhassan also called for open access between government and religious leaders.
“Do not block the road between religious leaders and government. Do not prevent pastors, bishops, imams, Mallams, and community leaders from having access to elected representatives,” he said, adding that direct dialogue helps resolve misunderstandings and contributes to peace.
As the political season approaches, PDN urged Christian and Muslim leaders to reject hate speech and religious incitement, encourage members to respect other faiths, and allow free political choice.
It advised Christian and Muslim politicians to avoid using religion as a weapon for mobilization and to promote free, fair and peaceful participation.
“My appeal is that everyone should mind his or her responsibility,” Alhassan said.
“If you are a politician, do your political work responsibly. If you are a pastor, do your pastoral work faithfully. If you are an imam or Mallam, provide responsible religious leadership. Cooperation does not mean interference. Partnership does not mean domination.”
Concluding, he said the statement was not an attack on any group but “a call for responsibility, respect, boundaries, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.”
“The future of our communities cannot be built through manipulation, intimidation, division, or the politics of ‘divide and rule,’” he added.
“Let Christians vote according to their conscience. Let Muslims vote according to their conscience. Let every Nigerian exercise his or her democratic rights peacefully and responsibly.”
The PDN reassured that it is committed to promoting peace, dialogue, unity, justice and tolerance among all Nigerians irrespective of religion or political affiliation.
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