Many pastors in Nigeria often stray from Biblical teachings of peace, love, and unity, using Fulanis as scapegoats to incite their followers. The reasons include:
1. Financial Gain: Vulgar language, name-calling, and inflammatory stories about Fulanis often please congregations, boosting offerings, tithes, and donations.
2. Emotional Manipulation: By portraying Fulanis as enemies, pastors secure loyalty and emotional attachment from their followers through fear and hatred.
3. Publicity and Fame: Pastors who skillfully speak against Fulanis or Muslims can gain notoriety and attention. For example, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo from Plateau State became widely known for his anti-Muslim and anti-Fulani rhetoric, seen by some as defending Christians.
4. Selective Outrage: Criminal acts are not restricted to Fulanis or Muslims. Today, reports suggest that IPOB/ESN members have killed over 30,000 fellow Igbo Christians, yet no pastor speak out against these atrocities. Instead, the focus is often disproportionately on Fulanis, solely because of their Islamic faith and tribal background.
A Word of Advice: Pastors should remember that their role is to guide congregations according to the true teachings of the Bible — peace, love, and unity — not to exploit religion for personal gain. Vulgar language, hate speech, and selective outrage harm communities and betray the very faith they claim to represent. True leadership earns respect and trust through integrity, compassion, and preaching truth, not fear, manipulation, or self-interest.
A Call to Government Action: We urge the government to take decisive action against any religious leader - whether an Imam, Sheikh, Pastor, or Reverend — found inciting followers instead of promoting peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence. Religion should never be used as a tool to spread hatred, manipulate emotions, or divide communities along faith or tribal lines.
Leaders who exploit religion for personal gain not only betray their congregations but also threaten national security and social cohesion. The government must enforce laws that protect citizens from divisive practices and ensure religious teachings are used to foster understanding, tolerance, and national harmony. Peaceful coexistence in Nigeria requires accountability at every level, and no religious leader should be above the law when their actions endanger the unity and safety of the nation.
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