Buhari has no plan to impose Islam on Nigeria – Presidency

LAGOS, Nigeria – President Muhammadu Buhari has said he has no plan to impose Islam or any other religion on Nigerians contrary to reports insinuation in some quarters. In a statement, the Presidency said the objective of spreading such rumour is noting but for political gains.

“The objective is clearly to stoke up religious division for political gains. Some of these same persons made these devious and fabricated claims ahead of the 2015 election. They failed woefully”, the presidency said.

The statement added that the President strongly affirms the oath he took before the Nigerian people to faithfully defend the Constitution of Nigeria.

“That Constitution guarantees freedom of worship for every Nigerian. It is this guarantee that enables all Nigerians to practise their faiths or religion without hindrance”, the statement said.

See text of press statement below

It has come to the notice of President ahead of the forthcoming elections, that some unscrupulous Nigerians are again falsely and wickedly claiming that the administration has an agenda to impose Islam on Nigeria.

The objective is clearly to stoke up religious division for political gains. Some of these same persons made these devious and fabricated claims ahead of the 2015 election. They failed woefully.

The President strongly affirms the oath he took before the Nigerian people to faithfully defend the Constitution of Nigeria.

That Constitution guarantees freedom of worship for every Nigerian. It is this guarantee that enables all Nigerians to practise their faiths or religion without hindrance.

The President @MBuhari further affirms his commitment to freedom of religion and worship for all Nigerians, and that under no circumstance will any religion or faith be imposed on any Nigerian. It is dangerous, deceptive and ungodly to play politics with religion.