I Will Not Allow Religion Or Ethnic Groups To Divide Nigeria – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said his administration would not allow religion or ethnic groups to divide citizens of the country because Nigerians are one people.

Buhari stated this when the Tijjaniyya Muslim Religious Movement came to pay him a visit in Abuja on Monday, November 25, 2019.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari expressed the strong determination to forge a strong, united nation from the diverse religious and ethnic communities in the country.

He lauded the prevalence of mutual understanding among the followers of the two major religions in the country, Islam and Christianity.

“It is generally said that differences divide people. We in Nigeria understand that there is no way a misunderstanding can cause division among us. We are one people,” he said.

Buhari assured the leaders of the delegation, mostly Senegalese, that the Tijjaniyya religious order was not new to him or to Nigerians, citing specific communities around him who practised its ways.

He also commended members of the order for being orderly, peaceful and constructive.

“The requirements of our people, whatever religion they follow, and to whatever ethnic group they belong in Nigeria is the same.

‘‘They need security, education and participation in an inclusive economy. On this, we are being very fair to all Nigerians,” Buhari said.

He accepted the prayers of the religious group for his wellbeing and for the peace and progress in Nigeria, while also urging them to convey his best wishes to President Macky Sall of Senegal.

Buhari said: “I assure you that I am very close to your President. He addresses me as ‘Baba’’.

The Tijjaniyya delegation was led by Sheikh Muhammad Lamin Inyas, who is the son of one of the greatest Muslim religious leaders in West Africa, Sheikh Ibrahim Inyas.