As Nigerians across the country join their Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud — the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has come out with a bold and timely message: do not allow politicians to use religion as a tool to tear us apart.
With the 2027 general elections already casting its long shadow over Nigerian politics, CAN is raising the alarm early, urging both Christians and Muslims to stand firm against those who would rather see Nigerians fighting each other than holding their leaders accountable.
One Nigeria, Two Faiths, One Common Enemy
If there is one thing Nigerians on both sides of the religious divide can agree on, it is this — the real struggle is not between the church and the mosque. It is between ordinary Nigerians and a political class that has perfected the art of dividing people by faith, tribe, and tongue whenever election season draws near.
CAN’s message this Eid season is simple but profound: our unity is our strength, and our division is their weapon.
Year after year, Nigerians have watched how political actors — desperate to hold onto power or grab it — pour fuel on religious tensions, sponsor divisive narratives on social media, and use pulpits and minbars alike to push partisan agendas. The result? Communities that had lived side by side for generations suddenly become suspicious of each other, while the politicians responsible fly business class and send their children to schools abroad.
A Message Rooted in Nigeria’s Shared Story
Nigeria is not a country where religion just exists — it breathes through our daily lives. From the “God is good” stickers on danfo buses in Lagos to the early morning call to prayer echoing across Kano rooftops, faith is woven into who we are as a people.
That is precisely why it is such a dangerous and effective political tool.
CAN understands this, and that is why their Eid-el-Maulud message is not just a courtesy greeting — it is a strategic warning. The 2027 elections are approaching, and the drumbeats of religious politicking have already begun.
What Christians and Muslims Must Do
CAN’s call is not asking anyone to abandon their faith or compromise their beliefs. Rather, it is a call to wisdom and vigilance. Here is what every Nigerian, regardless of religion, can take away from this message:
– Identify and ignore divisive narratives — When a politician’s message is more about what the “other religion” is doing wrong than about fixing roads, hospitals, and schools, that is a red flag.
– Demand accountability across the board — Whether your governor wears a kaftan or a suit, whether they quote the Quran or the Bible, ask the hard questions about governance.
– Celebrate each other’s wins — Just as Muslims extended goodwill to Christians during Christmas and Easter, Christians showing genuine joy during Eid is not weakness — it is the Nigerian spirit at its finest.
– Reject sponsored hate — In the age of WhatsApp forwards and Facebook groups, misinformation spreads faster than pepper soup at a naming ceremony. Verify before you share.
The Bigger Picture
CAN’s intervention at this moment is significant. It signals that religious leaders — not just political ones — must take responsibility for the social harmony of this nation. When CAN speaks during an Islamic celebration, it sends a message that transcends religion: we are in this together.
As Nigeria battles economic hardship, insecurity, and the everyday wahala of simply surviving, the last thing any Nigerian needs is to add religious conflict to that load.
The Prophet whose birth Muslims celebrate today preached peace, compassion, and justice. The Christ that Christians follow preached the same. There is far more that unites us than divides us — and it is time we stopped letting those with political ambitions make us forget that.
This Eid-el-Maulud, let the celebration be one of unity. Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim readers — from all of us, regardless of faith.
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