2027: Idris urges Religious leaders to shun misinformation, hate speech

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged religious leaders to speak out against the spread of false information and avoid giving platforms to messages capable of creating fear, hatred, and division in society.

The Minister gave the charge at the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops, and Apostles (ICCABA) held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

He urged religious leaders to exercise caution in their choice of words, particularly when addressing issues relating to religion, ethnicity, politics, and national security, noting that statements made by respected religious leaders could either calm communities or inflame tensions.

Idris called on religious organisations to promote truth, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence while rejecting messages deliberately designed to create fear, hatred, or division among Nigerians.

“We should speak against the spread of false information and refuse to give platforms to messages designed to create fear and hatred. We should be careful with our words, particularly when speaking about religion, ethnicity, politics, and security.”

“A statement made by a respected religious leader can calm a community. It can also inflame one. That is why leadership should always be accompanied by responsibility.”

“Nigeria is going through an important period of transition. We are reforming our economy, strengthening our institutions, investing in infrastructure and skills, and working to build a more secure and productive country. There will be disagreements. There will be criticism. There will be political contests. That is democracy, but through all of this, we should protect the larger Nigerian project.”

“Building the Nigeria we desire is a shared national responsibility. It requires government, citizens, religious and traditional leaders, the private sector, professionals, young people, and communities to work together in the recognition that we all have a common stake in Nigeria’s peace, progress, and prosperity,” Idris said.

He charged religious leaders across Nigeria to use their platforms to promote peace, tolerance, and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to distinguish political disagreements from religious hostility.

“In this spirit, we should continue to promote peace, encourage responsible and non-violent participation in our democracy, and deepen tolerance across religious and ethnic lines. We should also invest in the knowledge, skills, and opportunities that will enable young Nigerians to realise their potential, while nurturing a national consciousness that sees our diversity not as a source of division, but as a strength that enriches and unites our country.”

“I want to commend the leadership of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and ICCABA for bringing together church leaders from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. I hope that the discussions from this synod will go beyond these walls and translate into stronger communities, more responsible citizens, and a more peaceful Nigeria.”

“As we look towards 2027 and the years ahead, we should remain mindful that elections are moments in the life of a nation, while the nation itself endures beyond electoral cycles, governments, and political parties. Our greater obligation is therefore to preserve Nigeria’s peace, strengthen its unity, and safeguard its future for generations yet to come. May God continue to bless the leadership of the CBCN and ICCABA.”

“May God grant our religious leaders the wisdom and courage to continue guiding our people towards peace and unity, strengthen our security agencies and all who labour for the safety of our nation, and continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.