Buhari Says Religion Is Being Used For Selfish Agenda In Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has accused some people in the country of using religion, mostly for sentiment, political, and material and overall selfish gain in Nigeria.

According to the president, religious crisis is a problem which Nigeria has struggled with for a long time but said, the crisis was not necessary.

Buhari spoke on the issue at a meeting with the US Ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom, Rasheed Hussein in Noaukchot, Mauritania.

The president contends that the issue of religion in Nigeria was not religious, but criminal and for economic and political interests.

According to a statement signed late Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari spoke at Nouakchott, Mauritania, while meeting with the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain.

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The statement is titled ‘The place of education in addressing religious intolerance, by President Buhari.’

“It’s a problem Nigeria has been struggling with for a long time, and it is completely unnecessary. Some people use religion as sentiment, but with adequate education, people are seeing through it now,” Buhari said.

The President recounted a private meeting at the White House with former US President Donald Trump, where Trump asked him: “Why are you killing Christians in Nigeria?” and how he (Buhari) explained to him that the killings were not religious, but rather criminal; with some elements using religion to further their economic, and sometimes, political interests.

He also said some people who are incompetent are using religion as an excuse to cover up their shortcoming.