The Northern Muslims/Christians for Peace and Progress Initiative has endorsed the peace accord recently signed by Christian and Muslim youth groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative said the agreement between the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) could strengthen religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the country.
Politics Nigeria reports that the group made its position known in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bukar Al-Amin, on Tuesday.
It described the agreement as an important development at a time when political activities are gradually increasing ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the initiative, the decision by Christian and Muslim youths to work together sends a message that political differences should not be allowed to create religious divisions among Nigerians.
The peace accord was signed in Abuja during the 2026 National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving Service organised by YOWICAN.
The three-day event 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 different parts of the country participated in the summit.
Delegates were drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the six geopolitical zones.
The agreement between YOWICAN and NACOMYO focused on promoting peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and responsible participation by young people in the electoral process.
The two groups also pledged to reject political violence and other actions capable of creating tension between communities during the election period.
The Northern Muslims/Christians for Peace and Progress Initiative said the significance of the accord goes beyond the formal signing ceremony.
It maintained that the agreement should be translated into practical actions in communities across the country.
The group also commended Barr. Seyi Tinubu for his role in supporting the initiative and promoting engagement across religious and social lines.
“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 group said.
Seyi Tinubu was also recognised during the youth security summit with the title of Christian Youth Peace Ambassador. The recognition followed his involvement in youth empowerment and peaceful coexistence initiatives.
The initiative said such efforts were important because young people make up a major part of Nigeria’s population and are often at the centre of political mobilisation during elections.
It urged youths not to allow themselves to be used to promote hatred, violence or religious division.
The group further warned against the use of religion as a tool for political manipulation.
“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,” it said.
The initiative said Christian and Muslim youths should be able to support different political parties and candidates without becoming enemies because of their religious identities.
It stressed that political competition should remain within the bounds of democratic participation and should not degenerate into violence.
The group also pledged to support efforts aimed at expanding the peace accord beyond the national level.
It said the principles of the agreement should reach the six geopolitical zones, states, local government areas and individual communities.
It specifically mentioned churches and mosques as important platforms through which the message could be taken to the grassroots.
The initiative said it was prepared to work with YOWICAN, NACOMYO, religious organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and other youth bodies to promote the objectives of the accord.
It said cooperation among the different stakeholders would be necessary to ensure that the agreement does not remain limited to Abuja or become another document without practical impact.
