The Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Abubakar Sa’ad III, on Wednesday warned that the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) risks becoming irrelevant unless faith leaders demonstrate sincerity and accountability. Speaking at NIREC’s Second Tri-Annual Meeting in Abuja, he criticised members for expressing unity during meetings but making divisive remarks afterward, asking, “Are we really honest with ourselves?” CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh and SGF Senator George Akume also delivered blunt assessments of rising insecurity and interfaith tensions.
Okoh described Nigeria as entering a dangerous phase marked by mass killings and abductions, urging stronger government action and accountability for perpetrators. Akume rejected claims of religious genocide, insisting both Christians and Muslims have suffered. He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s support for NIREC and announced a US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security. Delegates agreed that renewed honesty, collaboration and moral leadership are essential to strengthen Nigeria’s fragile peace architecture.