Clerics under the Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly have urged Christians and Muslims to reject killings. They described the violence as a war between brothers. They spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the assembly’s Abuja chapter. The theme was “For Unity, Purpose and Present Reality.”
Nigeria’s north has faced repeated religious and communal violence. In Plateau, Benue and Kaduna, attacks have killed thousands. The violence is often framed as Christian versus Muslim. In reality, land, politics and criminality drive it. Religious leaders have repeatedly called for peace. The killings continue. The NOCRELA initiative is the latest appeal.
The National President, Bishop John-Praise Daniel, cited the biblical relationship between Isaac and Ishmael. He said Christians and Muslims are family. “The bloodletting must stop,” he said. “It does not matter whether the victim is a Christian or a Muslim.” He said NOCRELA would advocate an end to killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and other parts of the north. He said the Pan-African Faith Leaders Initiative, in collaboration with the African Union, would be launched on 3 December.
Archbishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa said unity would strengthen evangelism and enable Christians to pursue collective political interests. He urged Christians to speak with one voice in elections. He said unity in 2027 would make it easier to present a common front in 2031. He attributed the limited visibility of indigenous Christians in northern politics to denominational and ethnic divisions.
The Abuja Chairman, Bishop Moses Tabwaye, urged members to be peacemakers. He warned that pulpits must not become platforms for hatred or ethnic profiling. He called for collaboration with Muslims, traditional leaders and INEC to ensure peaceful elections in 2027. The Secretary-General, Rev. Simon Dolly, said NOCRELA favoured indigenous leadership. He said local leaders better understand how to foster peaceful relationships.
Winners: NOCRELA, which gains a platform. Christians in the north, who gain representation. Peace advocates, who gain support. INEC, which gains a partner. Losers: Those who profit from division. Extremists on both sides. Communities that continue to bury their dead. The violence, if the appeal changes nothing.
Bottom Line: Clerics gathered in Abuja. They said the killings must stop. They said Christians and Muslims are brothers. The message is old. The violence is old. The test is whether the pulpits can change the streets.