Religion Must Not Be Used As Excuse To Divide Us -Buhari

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Sunday, January 4th, 2015

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari says religion must never be used as an excuse to divide Nigerians, oppress others or gain unfair advantage.

Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, Former Head of State and the leader of the APC

Buhari spoke at the New Year Thanksgiving Service organised by the Lagos State Government on Sunday at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, saying he believed every Nigerian should be free and secured to practice their different religion.

“I am honoured to participate in this annual thanks giving service. This year thanks giving service brings together all Nigerians from all state, Christians, Muslim and all religion in Lagos to thank the almighty God.

“Religion must never be used as an excuse to divide us, oppress others or gain unfair advantage. All my life I have expressed the belief that all Nigerians must worship God according to their wish,” Buhari said.

According to him, the duty of government was not religion, but security for all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion, saying that “we shall all sit together like this, rejoice and thank God together for the Almighty God to give us the country of our dream.”

Earlier, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola said the state government deemed it fit to hold thanksgiving service for sparing the lives of the people amid calamities rocking the country.

“Today, 364 days after, when girls have disappeared without trace. Bombs have exploded in mindless orgies of violence. Nigerian towns and villages have been sacked. Our brothers and sisters have been displaced from their homes. Young children have died in stampedes while looking for jobs.

“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,” he said.

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.”