ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Northern Muslims/Christians for Peace and Progress Initiative has endorsed a peace accord signed by Christian and Muslim youth organisations ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The agreement, signed by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), seeks to promote religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible participation in the electoral process.
The initiative announced its support in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bukar Al-Amin, on Tuesday.
Youth Groups Reject Religious Division
The initiative described the agreement as significant as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
It said the decision by Christian and Muslim youths to work together sends a message that political differences should not be allowed to develop into religious conflicts.
Under the accord, the two youth groups pledged to promote peaceful coexistence and reject political violence and other actions capable of creating tension between religious and ethnic communities.
The initiative said young Nigerians should be able to support different political parties and candidates without treating political opponents from another faith as enemies.
It stressed that political competition should remain within democratic boundaries and should not degenerate into violence or religious hostility.
Accord Signed At Abuja Summit
YOWICAN and NACOMYO signed the agreement in Abuja during the 2026 National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving Service organised by YOWICAN.
The three-day programme was held at the National Christian Centre under the theme, “Empowered for Leadership, Service and Nation Building.”
Youth representatives, religious leaders, government officials and security stakeholders from across the country participated in the summit.
Delegates reportedly came from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The agreement focused on peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and responsible youth participation before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Group Commends Seyi Tinubu
The Northern Muslims/Christians for Peace and Progress Initiative also commended Barrister Seyi Tinubu for his reported role in supporting the initiative and encouraging engagement across religious and social lines.
The group said his involvement demonstrated the importance of building bridges between communities and encouraging young people to prioritise peace and national unity.
“We especially commend Barr. Seyi Tinubu for championing this and his exceptional commitment to building bridges across religious and social divides and for lending his voice, influence and support to an initiative that places peace, unity and national progress above religious differences,” the initiative said.
Seyi Tinubu was also recognised during the youth security summit with the title of Christian Youth Peace Ambassador.
According to the initiative, the recognition followed his reported involvement in youth empowerment and peaceful coexistence initiatives.
Youths Warned Against Political Manipulation
The group warned young Nigerians against allowing themselves to be used to promote hatred, violence or religious division during the election period.
It also cautioned against the manipulation of religion for political purposes, stressing that religious identity should not become a weapon during electoral contests.
“The Peace Accord is more than a document; it represents a shared commitment to reject religious intolerance, hate speech, political violence and the manipulation of religion for destructive purposes,” the group said.
The initiative argued that the significance of the agreement would ultimately depend on whether its principles were translated into practical actions at the grassroots.
Accord To Reach Communities
The group called for the peace initiative to extend beyond Abuja to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, states, local government areas and individual communities.
It identified churches and mosques as important platforms for taking the message of peaceful political participation to local communities.
The initiative also said it was ready to work with YOWICAN, NACOMYO, religious organisations, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other youth bodies to expand the objectives of the accord.
It stressed that cooperation among the stakeholders would be necessary to ensure the agreement produces practical results rather than remaining a symbolic document.
As political activity builds ahead of the 2027 elections, the groups are seeking to make religious tolerance and peaceful participation central to youth engagement, while encouraging Nigerians to maintain political differences without allowing them to become sources of religious conflict.
