Don’t be afraid to speak truth to power, forum tells religious leaders

Religious leaders across the country have been charged to always speak truth to power irrespectively of their relationship or affinity with the political leaders. The Islamic Welfare Foundation (IWF) gave this charge in a communiqué jointly signed by its national coordinator and secretary, Dr Hassan Kalejaiye and Dr Abdulkarim Oloyede respectively, issued at the end […]

Religious leaders across the country have been charged to always speak truth to power irrespectively of their relationship or affinity with the political leaders.

The Islamic Welfare Foundation (IWF) gave this charge in a communiqué jointly signed by its national coordinator and secretary, Dr Hassan Kalejaiye and Dr Abdulkarim Oloyede respectively, issued at the end of its 11 national Conference on Islam in Nigeria.

The programme, themed ‘Religion and Politics in Nigeria’ was in collaboration with the Ekiti State University (EKSU) and attended by a cross-section of scholars, religious leaders, stakeholders, and academics across the country.

According to the communiqué, religious leaders are under a divine obligation to speak the truth to both the leaders and the led. 

“However, hobnobbing with men of means and power has compromised the ability of religious leaders to speak truth to power without fear or favour. 

“Religious leaders are enjoined to always speak the truth to both the leaders and the led so that they can fulfil their mandate as the moral conscience of the society,” it noted. 

It further called on religious leaders to be committed to the welfare of the people and use their platforms to urge political leaders towards the fulfilment of their electoral promises.

“Such promises are not covenants between them and the people alone but are also sacred covenants between them and Allah,” it added.