Few Hours To Presidential Election, Buhari Speaks On Plans To Islamize Nigeria

Buhari Warns Against Playing Politics With Religion

President Muhammadu Buhari has described as false and wicked, claims by some people that he has an agenda to Islamize Nigeria.

The President said this in a statement sent to Naija News on Friday by Mr. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) in reaction to rumours of an Islamization agenda by the Buhari administration.

The statement further urged those involved not to play politics with religion.

The statement reads:

“It has come to the notice of President Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of the forthcoming elections, that some unscrupulous Nigerians are again falsely and wickedly claiming that the administration has an agenda to impose Islam on Nigeria.”

“The objective is clearly to stoke up religious division for political gains. Some of these same persons made these devious and fabricated claims ahead of the 2015 election. They failed woefully.”

“The President strongly affirms the oath he took before the Nigerian people to faithfully defend the Constitution of Nigeria. That Constitution guarantees freedom of worship for every Nigerian. It is this guarantee that enables all Nigerians to practise their faiths or religion without hindrance.”

“President Buhari further affirms his commitment to freedom of religion and worship for all Nigerians, and that under no circumstance will any religion or faith be imposed on any Nigerian.”

“It is dangerous, deceptive and ungodly to play politics with religion.”

Naija News reports that the presidential and national assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 23, while the governorship and state assembly elections will hold on March 9 after the dates were shifted on February 16 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over logistical concerns.