The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Paul Richard Gallagher, on Monday expressed concern over the growing spread of hate speech and fake news, warning that both threaten peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The concerns were raised after a meeting between the Sultan and Archbishop Gallagher at the National Mosque in Abuja, where they discussed interfaith relations, security and cooperation between Muslim and Christian communities.
The Sultan, who was represented by NSCIA deputy secretary general, Salisu Shehu, said both sides agreed that religious leaders must work together to promote peace and counter narratives capable of fueling division.
Shehu added that participants also condemned the growing trend of insulting religious leaders and other citizens.
He explained that fake news had also become a source of instability.
“Fake news is another evil that is being used in the country to precipitate a lot of troubles in the country, and therefore, this is something that we need to fight,” he said.
Shehu said the discussions also centred on growing moral decline and increasing rejection of religion among young people.
Also speaking, Archbishop Gallagher said the meeting revealed broad agreement between Muslim and Catholic leaders on issues affecting Nigeria.
He added that cooperation between both faiths remained essential to national development.