The Plateau State Peace Building Agency has called for greater religious tolerance, inclusion and peaceful coexistence among the diverse faith communities in the state, while warning against the manipulation of young people for electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made at the August 2026 edition of the Plateau Peace Architecture Forum (PPAF), held on August 27, 2026, at the Odilins Event Centre in Jos, under the proposed theme, “Understanding Freedom of Religion or Belief from Diverse Perspectives: Promoting Religious Tolerance, Inclusion and Preventing the Manipulation of Youth for Electoral Violence.”
The forum brought together representatives of Christian, Muslim, Hare Krishna, African Traditional Religion and other religious bodies, alongside peace practitioners, human rights advocates, government representatives and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, described freedom of religion or belief as fundamental to human dignity, inclusion, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in Plateau State.
Sanda stressed the importance of recognising Plateau’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity, while commemorating victims of violence linked to religion or belief.
She urged participants to remember past tragedies not to reopen old wounds or apportion blame, but to learn from them and strengthen the collective commitment to peace. She cited instances in which Christians protected Muslims and Muslims protected Christians during periods of crisis as examples of solidarity and shared humanity.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Sanda called for increased attention to young people, urging them to reject misinformation, hate speech and attempts to manipulate them into electoral violence.
She also encouraged religious leaders, government institutions, security agencies and citizens to move beyond mere tolerance towards genuine inclusion and take practical steps to promote peaceful elections.
Sanda maintained that Plateau’s diversity should be viewed as a strength when anchored on mutual respect, inclusion and shared responsibility.
President of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Nanman Bali, commended the Peace Architecture Forum for sustaining conversations around peace and religious freedom. She urged religious leaders and young people to promote unity and resist attempts to weaponise religion for political purposes.
Bali also called for responsible use of social media, positive orientation of young people and wider dissemination of messages promoting religious freedom, tolerance, inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
The State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, commended the Plateau State Peace Building Agency for sustaining the forum as a platform for dialogue and stakeholder engagement.
She emphasised that dialogue remains critical to improving understanding and building sustainable peace. Mafuyai also welcomed the commemoration of victims of violence based on religion or belief and called for support for affected persons.
She described freedom of religion and belief as a fundamental human right and condemned the use of religion to promote hatred or violence, particularly as the 2027 elections draw closer.
Represented by Rev. Nehemiah Michael, Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana, Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on Religious Affairs, commended the Plateau State Peace Building Agency for convening the timely forum. He stressed that freedom of religion or belief means worshipping freely, disagreeing without hatred and respecting the humanity of others. As the 2027 elections approach, he urged stakeholders to equip young people to recognise manipulation and misinformation. He reaffirmed his office’s commitment to building a Plateau where faith unites rather than divides.
Reverend Professor Pandam Yamsat, co-chairman of the Plateau State Interreligious Council, urged participants to translate discussions into concrete action, stressing that stakeholders must “walk their talk.”
Yamsat said religion should serve as a force for unity and human development rather than personal or political interests. He also called for the recognition and inclusion of religious beliefs beyond Christianity and Islam.
Representing the co-chairman of the Plateau State Interreligious Council, HRH Alhaji Muhammed Sambo Haruna, the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheikh Gazali Adam, said freedom of religion or belief was fundamental to security, peace and sustainable development.
He stressed that protecting religious minorities, places of worship and individual dignity would strengthen social trust and reduce the risk of violence.
Representing Prof. Chris Kwaja, Special Envoy on Peace and Security to the Plateau State Governor, the Director of Programmes at the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Nantip Joseph, described freedom of belief as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege.
Kwaja called for greater understanding, accommodation and mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities, warning against the use of religion to fuel hatred, fear and political violence ahead of 2027.
He urged political, religious and community leaders to promote dignity, peace and inclusion, stressing that commemorating victims of violence must translate into concrete action against hate speech, discrimination, incitement and impunity.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Rev. Dr. Sylvester Dachomo, who called for acceptance, tolerance and inclusion among people of different faiths.
Dachomo described freedom of religion as a universal human right that allows individuals to choose, change, practise or abandon their beliefs. Reflecting on Plateau’s religious diversity and history of violence, he stressed that peaceful coexistence is essential to the survival and development of the state.
He urged citizens to see Nigeria as their shared home and respect its religious diversity, stressing that no person should be treated as an enemy because of their faith.
The forum also featured a panel discussion coordinated by Hajiya Amina Muhammad on “Promoting Religious Tolerance, Inclusion and Preventing the Manipulation of Youth for Electoral Violence,” with discussions highlighting the experiences of untold heroes from Tina Junction and Anguwan Rogo in Jos.
A plenary and open dialogue, coordinated by Salis Abdulsalam, founder of Face of Peace, focused on “What Will It Take? Strengthening Religious Inclusion, Trust and Shared Responsibility for Peace in Plateau State.”
The event concluded with action points and feedback aimed at strengthening religious inclusion, interfaith dialogue, responsible youth engagement and collective efforts towards peaceful coexistence and violence-free elections in Plateau State.
The forum reinforced a shared message among stakeholders: “One Nigeria, Many Beliefs, Shared Future.”
