Religious leaders, yesterday, while reviewing the impact of the 2023 general elections, lamented how the deployment of ethnic and sentiments by political parties affected the outcome of the exercise.
They advocated a paradigm shift, where citizens could freely vote for the survival of the nation’s democracy.
The clerics spoke at the interfaith conversation on post-election stakeholders’ forum on religious divisions in electoral politics in Nigeria, organised by a non-profit organisation, Community Life Project, with the theme, “Healing the Wounds Inflicted On Society By Religious Divisions in the 2023 General Elections.”
In his submission, President, International Council of Ifa Religion Worldwide, Solagbade Popoola, said education is one of the weapons to encourage religious tolerance.
He stressed the need for religious leaders to educate their followers, by laying more emphasis on harmony.
Executive Director, Justice, Development and Peace Centre, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, regretted that religion and ethnicity had eaten deep into national life.
In her remarks, President of CLP, Ngozi Nwere, explained that the programme was to engender national rebirth.
Religious leaders review 2023 elections, urge unity, tolerance
An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) holds up a ballot paper during the counting process at a polling station in Egbeda, Lagos, on February 25, 2023, during Nigeria's presidential and general election. (Photo by Benson Ibeabuchi / AFP)
