2027: Akume charges clerics, traditional leaders to promote tolerance ahead of election 

George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Wednesday, charged religious and traditional leaders across the country to deepen tolerance, ahead of the 2027 election

He also urged them to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and promote peaceful coexistence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Akume, speaking with faith-based and traditional leaders, said they must take the lead in fostering understanding among citizens and preventing manipulation capable of triggering violence before, during and after the polls.

At the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held at Rockview Hotel under the theme, “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion, Akume notes that the nation is approaching the end of the current political and electoral cycle, adding that “religious and traditional leaders have a moral responsibility to strengthen collaboration, youth education and peace-building efforts in their communities.

“The 2027 general elections are fast approaching and NIREC, through our traditional and religious leaders, faith-based organisations and youth associations, has the moral responsibility for strengthening the network of collaboration, grassroots mobilisation, youth education, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, security and protection of lives and property in our communities.”

He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of manipulation capable of creating division within communities, noting that peaceful elections begin with responsible leadership at the grassroots.

The SGF said Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity makes tolerance and religious literacy essential for national cohesion, stressing that understanding one another’s beliefs and practices remains key to building trust and sustaining peace.

According to him, the role of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has become increasingly important in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.

Akume also  warned that the country, like many parts of the world, continues to face serious challenges fuelled by stereotypes, misinformation, insecurity and identity-based divisions.

He said such challenges have often become triggers for violence and hostility, worsened by political and economic manipulation.

“The world today continues to encounter formidable challenges that are capable of generating conflicts. These challenges are fuelled by lack of understanding, existence of stereotypes, ineffective communication and the weaponisation of identity,” he said.

He said government’s responsibility is not to politicise religion or encourage intolerance but to strengthen citizenship, understanding and responsibility among Nigerians.

He noted that while religious studies already form part of the school curriculum, the priority should be improving the quality of teaching through better teacher preparation, effective learning materials and classroom values that encourage empathy, respect and responsible citizenship.

The SGF also raised concerns over insecurity in the education sector, warning that attacks on schools and prolonged closures in unsafe areas continue to worsen Nigeria’s education crisis.

He said government policies on safe schools and violence-free learning environments must be strengthened to protect children and ensure uninterrupted learning.

“A child cannot learn fraternity in fear; a nation cannot preach literacy while schools are under threat,” he said.

“Religious literacy must therefore be accompanied by media and information literacy; the discipline to verify before sharing, to question before reacting, and to reject falsehood, hate speech and incendiary narratives,” he said.

He called on schools, faith communities, universities, media organisations and traditional institutions to work together in raising a new generation of Nigerians who embrace faith, patriotism, humility and peaceful coexistence.
The SGF disclosed that the Federal Government had already put machinery in place to support religious and traditional institutions in ensuring peace and security across communities ahead of the elections.
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