Sultan reaffirms Sharia is for Muslims only, calls for stronger peace efforts

The Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has reaffirmed that Sharia law applies solely to Muslims and must never be imposed on Christians or adherents of other faiths.

He made the clarification on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 triennial meeting of NIREC in Abuja.

The gathering, themed “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria,” drew prominent religious leaders, top government officials, and policy influencers committed to fostering national unity.

Speaking at the event, the Sultan stressed that Nigeria remains a secular and multi-religious nation, where the government provides equal support to all faiths without adopting any as a state religion.

He noted that Sharia is a moral and legal system strictly for Muslims and should not, under any circumstance, be extended to non-Muslims—including through dress codes or religious obligations.

Responding to recent debates and calls for the abolition of Sharia, Abubakar maintained that Nigerians have the constitutional right to practice their faith freely. He urged leaders to avoid inflammatory statements that could heighten religious tensions.

Also addressing the meeting, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, called for deeper collaboration between NIREC and the Federal Government to confront insecurity and the rise of extremist ideologies.

He warned that extremists continue to exploit religious sentiments to undermine national cohesion. Tajudeen commended NIREC’s sustained engagement in promoting harmony and pledged the House’s readiness to support actionable recommendations from the council.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, highlighted the effects of internal security challenges, dwindling public trust, and negative portrayals of Nigeria abroad.

He assured that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ lives and property, and urged religious and traditional leaders to intensify grassroots peace efforts.

In his remarks, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described insecurity as a major threat to peaceful coexistence.

He called for stronger government–faith-based partnerships, noting that religious institutions possess deep community influence needed to drive peace-building.

Executive Secretary of NIREC, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, emphasized the urgency of coordinated action against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.

He insisted that every Nigerian life must be safeguarded and urged citizens to embrace unity, moral renewal, and shared national values.

The triennial meeting continues with deliberations expected to shape national strategies for strengthening interfaith cooperation and sustaining peace across the country.