The Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar on Wednesday, 10 December, 2025 said that it is wrong for any Christian to be dragged or subjected to sharia law or court or be made to dress or pray like a Muslim.
The Sultan, who state this on Wednesday, 10 December, 2025 while speaking at the opening of the 2025 triennial meeting of NIREC in Abuja, with the theme, “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria, ” noted that the Sharia law will never be implemented for any non-Muslim.
While emphasizing that the Sharia is purely 100 per cent for Muslims, the Sultan said that Nigeria was more of a multi-religious country than a secular state.
According to the revered monarch, the government had not adopted any as state religion but supports the development of the two major religions in the country.
The Sultan, who spoke against recent calls for abolition of Sharia law, said that Nigeria allowed the practice of all religions without undue external interference.
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen called for deeper collaboration between the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the Federal Government.
He said this will strengthen peace-building efforts and counter rising insecurity across the country.
Tajudeen noted that the gathering was significant, coming at a time when violent extremists were threatening national unity and exploiting religious sentiments to sow discord.
The Speaker commended NIREC for its longstanding interventions in promoting harmony, noting that the meeting demonstrates the national resolve to live together in religious harmony.
“It signifies the need for more synergy between the council and the government, and for concerted efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence between people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“I look forward to the actionable plans that the council will propose at this meeting, and promise legislative support for their implementation.
“We must challenge stereotypes and show that the negative narrative on inter-religious relations in our country, especially the story of genocide against members of a particular religion, is false and misleading,” he said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume said that the country was facing numerous challenges, including internal security issues, heightened political rhetoric and degraded mutual trust.
Akume said that Nigeria also came under international pressure for the wrong reasons, orchestrated by mis-characterisation of the security situation.
While assuring all Nigerians that the Federal Government would not hrelent in ensuring the welfare and security of citizens as enshrined in the constitution, the SGF called on leaders of faith, traditional rulers, and voices of reason to come together to promote peace through collaboration.
“We have survived past crises, including a grueling civil war and emerged with a renewed commitment to unity in diversity.
“Our independence and sovereignty are non-negotiable, and we can not allow terror or division to sink the ship of state.
“It is precisely at times like this that NIREC, and indeed, all well-meaning Nigerians must come together to promote peace through collaboration,” he said.
