2027 Polls: Christian, Muslim youths sign peace accord, pledge to reject violence

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, (NACOMYO), on Friday signed a National Christian-Muslim Youth Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The historic signing took place at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, during the 3-day National Christian Youth Security Summit 2026, Thanksgiving Service and Peace Accord Signing organised by YOWICAN with the theme: “Empowered for Leadership, Service and Nation Building.”

Ven. Evang. Ademola Arowolo, National Chairman of YOWICAN, signed on behalf of Christian youths, while Mallam Sani Sulaiman-Maigoro, National President of NACOMYO, signed for Muslim youths.

In his address, Arowolo described the accord as “a covenant of hope, a declaration of unity, and a collective pledge by Christian and Muslim youths to work together in advancing peace, justice, dialogue, tolerance, and national progress.”

He said the commitment would be replicated across states, local governments and wards nationwide.

Arowolo stressed that security is sacred and every life, whether Muslim, Christian or of any other faith, must be taken seriously.

“God Himself does not divide us, it is human beings that divide us in their own mindset. We are here to sensitise, to educate, and tell the people that there is still hope for us in this country as Nigerians,”he said.

He urged Nigerian youths to shun political thuggery and vote-buying.

“An idle man is the devil’s workshop. If I am busy, I cannot be used for thuggery or violence. If somebody meets you for any violence, tell them your children should not come. This is our land, this is our country,” he added.

Also speaking, Sulaiman-Maigoro said unity and patriotism must come first before religion or ethnicity.

“First and foremost is for us to accept the reality that we are first Nigerians, and Nigeria is our country. Together we live and prosper, and when we are divided, we all suffer,” he said.

He noted that working together would help defeat terrorism, banditry and those who seek to divide Nigerians along religious lines.

“Nigerian Muslim youths are here in solidarity with Christian youths to say we are together towards securing and making Nigeria a better place for all,” he said.

Representing President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, cautioned youths against being used as “sacrificial lambs” by politicians.

“The Muslim and the Christian in Nigeria must work together. We are brothers, we are sisters. It is only when you have peace that you can talk of progress,” he said.

He announced a donation of N500,000 to support YOWICAN and commended the Tinubu administration’s youth and education interventions including NELFUND.

Representing the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, his Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, Mr Musa Likita said youths must cooperate with security agencies.

“The youth are full of energy, creativity and innovation. They will thrive better when the environment is peaceful. They should not allow themselves to be exploited by extremist forces,” he said.

Rev. Simon Dolly-KIF, who represented CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, charged Christian youths to be ambassadors of peace.

“Nigeria is bigger than our ethnicity, denomination and political differences. Nigeria is our common heritage, and we must protect it together,” he said.

The summit also featured the unveiling of the YOWICAN Five-Year Strategic Blueprint 2026-2031 by National Assistant Secretary, Dr Joshua Jeremiah Dandaura, and plans for a National Youth Development Centre in Abuja.

A YOWICAN Peace Ambassador Award was conferred on Barr. Seyi Tinubu, and received on his behalf by immediate past YOWICAN President, Hon. Belusochukwu Enwere.

In his acceptance message, Seyi Tinubu urged state and zonal YOWICAN leaders to replicate the peace pact across LGAs and wards.

“Peace is more than the absence of conflict. As young Nigerians, we have a critical role to play in building a nation where our differences become sources of strength rather than division.”

On his part, former National President of YOWICAN, Engr. Daniel Kadzai, called on Nigerian youths to support the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Kadzai said the endorsement was based on the administration’s infrastructural development, youth-focused economic policies, and increased investment in national security.

He urged both Christian and Muslim youths to safeguard the nation’s peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former YOWICAN leader stressed that security is a collective responsibility and advised youth leaders to work closely with security agencies.

“What I will advise the youth to do differently to achieve good results is to work with relevant security agencies. Security is everybody’s business. When you see something, say something, and when you do something, something will happen,” he said.

Kadzai also charged young people to act as ambassadors of peace and to avoid withholding vital information from law enforcement agencies.

On the 2027 polls, he noted that Nigerians should vote for leaders who prioritise national development and social welfare.

He further commended the interfaith dialogue at the summit, saying sustained collaboration between Christian and Muslim youths is critical for long-term growth and stability.

The 3-day summit drew youth delegates, security chiefs, government officials, church and Muslim leaders from the 36 states and FCT.