In two separate statements yesterday in Owerri, the pair urged religious institutions and groups to always champion peaceful co-existence in the country.
In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor urged Muslims across the federation to all time remain peaceful, noting that the lingering suspicion between Christians and Muslims in the country was the creation of the elite.
“Before now, average Christians and Muslims across the nation had lived in peace and shared a lot of things in common without any suspicion until the elite brought in clannishness for both their economic and political advantages,” he said.
Okorocha added: “With peace in the country and genuine love among Nigerians, not minding their religious differences and places of birth, Nigeria as a nation, would easily overcome its challenges and also achieve greatness.”
He assured Muslims that his government and the people of the state would continue to treat them as brothers and sisters, advising that they remain peaceful and see themselves as partners in progress in his effort to develop the state and make it worthwhile for residents.
The governor, therefore, urged political and religious leaders to be patriotic enough by laying emphasis on those virtues that unite Nigerians as a people and play down those fault lines that breed disunity, hatred, impede development and growth and generate unnecessary tensions in the polity.
On his part, Lakanu, in his congratulatory message signed command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), assured residents of security of lives and property in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
