2027: Christian, Muslim youth groups sign peace accord ahead of elections

Christian and Muslim youth organisations in Lagos have signed an interreligious peace accord, committing to reject political violence, religious intolerance and the use of young people as political thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The accord was signed on Saturday at the South-West Zonal Interreligious Peace Accord Summit organised by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), in collaboration with the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO).

The summit was held at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu CAN Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, “Building Bridges of Faith and Politics: Strengthening Peace, Unity, and National Development Through Christian-Muslim Collaboration.”

The groups said the 2027 elections would test Nigeria’s unity and urged young people not to allow politicians to recruit or manipulate them into violence.

In the communique issued at the end of the summit, the groups said the signing of the accord represents their collective determination to reject political violence, religious manipulation, hate speech and other divisive actions “capable of threatening the peace and stability of the country.”

They also called on Christian and Muslim youths to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence in their communities, institutions and places of worship.

Peaceful coexistence

Speaking at the summit, the Chairman of CAN in Lagos State, Stephen Adegbite, said the peace accord aims to foster religious tolerance, reject political violence, and promote peaceful coexistence ahead of the elections.

Mr Adegbite criticised politicians who make derogatory statements against their opponents.

“What we must do is what youths have done today; both Christians and Muslims have done well to bring peace and restore confidence in our great nation,” he said.

He urged young people to lead by example, saying the summit was intended to demonstrate that Christians and Muslims want peace before, during and after the elections.

“We don’t want anybody to be killed for any elective position,” he said.

Mr Adegbite also cited the Bible and the Quran as texts that promote peaceful coexistence.

Peace message to grassroots

The National Secretary of NACOMYO, Shehu Ibrahim, said the accord is particularly important as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

Mr Ibrahim said the organisation would take the message of peace to communities across the country, including through Imams, Friday prayers, Islamic schools and other religious gatherings.

He said the groups would mobilise young people at the grassroots to discourage violence during the elections.

Also speaking, the Lagos State APC Youth Leader, Damilare Orimoloye, said young people must understand that disagreements do not have to result in violence.

“Peace speaks against violence, how to tolerate each other, showing love amidst misunderstanding,” Mr Orimoloye said.

He added that disagreements were likely during the election period, making tolerance and peaceful communication important.

The South-West Chairman of YOWICAN, Nnamdi Obasi, said the summit was significant because Christian and Muslim youths needed to bridge existing gaps and avoid being used against one another.

He urged young Nigerians to remain united and resist attempts by politicians to exploit religious differences to create conflict as the 2027 elections approach.

What the accord says

The communique, signed by YOWICAN’s National Chairman, Orowolo Daniel, and National Secretary, Nehemiah Michael, alongside NACOMYO’s National Secretary II, Shehu Ibrahim, and its representative for the Southern Secretary, Mudashir Bello, outlined seven commitments.

Among them is a rejection of the recruitment and manipulation of young people as political thugs, as well as a commitment to religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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The groups also called on religious, traditional, community and political leaders to discourage intolerance, political manipulation and incitement to violence.

They said the peace message should extend beyond the summit to states, local government areas, communities, schools and religious institutions.

The groups further resolved that the peace accord should not end with its signing but should serve as a framework for continued dialogue, mutual accountability and peacebuilding between Christian and Muslim youths.

They urged Nigerian youths, political leaders, religious institutions and other stakeholders to work towards a peaceful and inclusive 2027 election.