The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to stop insulting one another, saying mutual respect and tolerance are necessary for peaceful coexistence in the country.
The Sultan made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during an event where he spoke about the need for Nigerians to promote peace and unity despite their religious and ethnic differences.
He urged adherents of both major religions to avoid provocative comments and actions capable of creating tension between communities.
“We must be honest with ourselves that Christians can stop insulting Muslims. Muslims can stop insulting Christians. And that’s how we will live in peace,” he said.
The Sultan also warned Christians and Muslims against seeing themselves as superior to one another, stressing that no religious group had the right to claim a higher position over others.
“We are not here to say we are better than anybody. We are not better than anybody. God is the creator of us all. He will determine who is better. And he knows how to do it. So, I am not here to say I am better than anybody,” he said.
His comments came against the backdrop of recent controversies over religious identity and political leadership in Nigeria.
Days earlier, Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir had made comments suggesting that Christians would have considered themselves superior to Muslims if not for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Jingir had also been critical of Christians in the country while speaking about the political arrangement and the place of Muslims in Nigeria’s leadership.
Although the Sultan did not directly refer to Jingir or his comments, his message appeared to reinforce the need for religious leaders and their followers to avoid statements that could deepen divisions.
The Sultan said Nigerians should not allow differences in religion to create hatred or make one group regard itself as more important than another.
He stressed that both Christians and Muslims are citizens of the same country and have a responsibility to promote peace and protect one another.
The call is coming at a time when religious issues continue to generate strong reactions across the country.
Nigeria is a multi-religious country, with Christianity and Islam being the two largest religions. Both faiths have played major roles in the social, political and economic development of the country.
However, religious differences have also contributed to tension and conflict in some parts of Nigeria over the years. In several instances, political disagreements, ethnic disputes and competition over land and resources have taken on a religious dimension, making peaceful coexistence more difficult.
The Sultan therefore urged Nigerians to return to the traditional practice of caring for their neighbours regardless of religion, ethnicity or social background.
He said Nigerians should remember that people living around them have a right to their care and support.
“Allah created your neighbour for you. Whoever is your neighbour, you know what is required of you to do for your neighbour,” he said.
The Sultan’s message placed emphasis on the importance of community relationships at a time when social tensions and mistrust have increased in some parts of the country.
He also expressed concern over the spread of false information and insulting statements on social media.
According to him, Nigerians should be more careful about what they publish and share online, particularly when such information concerns public officials.
He warned those who deliberately spread false claims about presidents, governors, senators and other public office holders that they would ultimately be accountable to God for their actions.
The Sultan’s warning comes amid the rapid growth of social media as a major source of news and public debate in Nigeria.
Platforms such as Facebook, X, TikTok and WhatsApp have made it easier for information to spread quickly, but they have also become channels for the circulation of unverified claims, inflammatory messages and false reports.
Religious and political disputes are particularly vulnerable to such misinformation, as false claims can quickly increase anger and suspicion between communities.
The Sultan therefore urged Nigerians to use social media responsibly and avoid spreading information capable of causing conflict.
He also called on Nigerians to focus on building the country instead of promoting ideas about its breakup.
The traditional ruler said citizens should work together to address the country’s problems and strengthen national unity.
His call comes amid continuing debates over insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and political divisions, which have led to renewed calls for reforms and better governance.
The Sultan said Nigerians must recognise that the country’s challenges could only be addressed through collective efforts.
He also recalled the actions of the late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who sheltered more than 200 Christians inside his mosque during a crisis in Plateau State.
The Sultan described the action as an example of humanity and religious tolerance that should not be forgotten.
Imam Abdullahi became widely recognised for protecting Christians during a period of violence in Plateau State, at a time when religious and communal tensions had created serious security risks.
By opening his mosque to people from another faith, the cleric demonstrated that religious teachings could be used to protect lives and promote peace rather than encourage division.
The Sultan urged Nigerians to remember such examples and draw lessons from them.
He said acts of courage and kindness across religious lines were evidence that Nigerians could live together peacefully despite their differences.
The Sultan’s message also places responsibility on religious leaders to influence their followers positively.
Religious leaders have significant influence in Nigerian communities, and their statements can shape public opinion and affect relationships between groups.
Calls for restraint have therefore become increasingly important as debates over religion and politics become more intense.
The Sultan urged Christians and Muslims to focus on the values they share, including respect for human life, compassion, honesty, justice and care for neighbours.
He maintained that no religion should be used as a basis for insulting or demonising another faith.
The Sultan’s appeal comes as political parties and groups gradually prepare for the 2027 general elections, when religious and regional issues are expected to feature prominently in political discussions.
The recent debate over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket has already shown how sensitive questions about religious representation can become.
Against this background, the Sultan’s call for mutual respect is likely to add to growing appeals by religious and community leaders for restraint.
He urged Nigerians to avoid actions and statements that could increase tension and instead contribute to peace and national development.
Ultimately, the Sultan said, Nigerians must learn to live with their differences and recognise that the country belongs to everyone.
His message was that peaceful coexistence would require tolerance from both Christians and Muslims, responsible public speech and a willingness to care for neighbours regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
He urged citizens to reject religious superiority and focus on what unites them, saying the future of Nigeria depends on the ability of its people to work together despite their differences.