Today in Abuja I addressed a Conference by the Interfaith Initiative for Peace, with the theme, “Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Towards the 2019 General Election.” The full text of my speech: facebook.com/15289528407182… 
His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and His Eminence Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto are the Co-Initiators of this Initiative, which has continued to work for peace and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
Our Primary Elections are over, it is my hope that all who feel aggrieved would put the stability of Nigeria first, before their political ambitions, and accept the decision of their political parties or seek resolution through party reconciliation mechanisms or the law courts.
Very soon, political campaigns will commence leading to Elections in February. It is my hope and prayer that we will even perform better at the polling stations and see to a peaceful completion of the entire process without resorting to the negative use of religion and ethnicity.
Having witnessed the roles our religious leaders have been playing so far, I appeal to them to eschew partisan politics and appeal to their respective members to read the manifestos of each political party, discuss, and pray for God’s guidance before casting their votes.
Religious leaders should not be seen to involve themselves in partisan politics or political controversies. Otherwise they risk losing their status and public respect.
On their part, traditional rulers are also requested to enlighten their subjects, encourage them to ask questions and seek clarifications before going out to vote.
As your President, I will request that you encourage your subjects to come out and exercise their voting rights as responsible citizens.
To all of us politicians, I ask that we discharge our political responsibilities with integrity, bearing in mind that we will one day give an account to God, the Almighty.
I am proud to say that our country has moved on, the era of free money, lack of transparency and accountability is over! We deserve continuity; we deserve a better future for the coming generations.
I sincerely hope 2019 will move us closer to these goals and so I look forward to peaceful, fair and credible elections come 2019.
Let me also express my personal appreciation to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who in spite of his busy schedule accepted to be the keynote speaker at this important conference.
