Clerics tell politicians not to whip up religious sentiments in Taraba

A joint meeting of the Taraba State chapters of the Muslim Council and
the Christian Association of Nigeria on Saturday advised politicians
not to use religion to pursue their selfish agenda in the state.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Jalingo, the
Taraba State capital, CAN and the Muslim Council decried the manner
politicians in the state were whipping up religious sentiments to
achieve selfish political goals.
The communiqué was signed by the state Chairman of the Muslim Council,
Alhaji Inuwa Mafindi, and the state Vice Chairman of CAN, Rev. Ben
Ubeh.
It observed that Taraba had been “unnecessarily thrown into a state of
confusion by selfish politicians who did not mean well for it since
the return of Governor Danbaba Suntai on August 25.
“We observe that some people/groups are trying to use religion for
their personal interest, to cause division among Tarabans, and to
deprive them of peaceful coexistence they have been enjoying.”
The communiqué commended the state government and the people for
efforts aimed at maintaining peace and for their tolerance of one
another.
It urged the people to remain calm to ensure that the prevailing peace
was sustained.
The communiqué called on the people to shun any move by any group of
people to use them to achieve their personal/selfish interests.
It commended national and international media for upholding the truth
and ensuring balanced reportage.
The two religious groups urged the mass media, especially the local
ones, to continue to discharge their responsibilities with a view to
promoting peace and harmony in the society.
The communiqué called on the citizens of Taraba State to disregard
information or rumour capable of inciting people or causing
disaffection among the adherents of the two major religions.
It urged the executive, the legislature and the judicial arms of
government to continue to discharge their functions with the fear of
God.