The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary a denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) concerning an invitation extended to him for the planned groundbreaking event of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Sultan, in a statement sent on Monday by his media team, stressed that the Sultan’s presence at a Christian ceremony would foster inter-religious peace and harmony, noting his position as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

The statement, signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, also observed that it is not an uncommon global practice for religious leaders to participate in activities outside their faith traditions without negative consequences.

The defence follows an earlier dismissal by CAN through its media office in Abuja, which made it clear that it did not send any invitation to the Sultan for the event. It explained that the information being circulated did not come from CAN and should not be linked to the body.

CAN stated that the document causing the confusion originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). It said that at no time did it issue or approve any message inviting the Sultan in connection with the chapel project.

The body said it was necessary to correct the impression quickly because its name had been wrongly attached to the claim.

The Sultan’s media team also acknowledged that the document generating public confusion originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), adding that the invitation also listed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.

The Invitation Card

It, however, expressed concern over the CAN’s denial of the invitation, saying it created an unnecessary impression, particularly as the Sultan did not seek an invitation to attend the event.

The Sultan, in the statement, urged that peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds should always be promoted.

The full statement reads: “The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has described as unnecessary the recent rejoinder issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) concerning the planned foundation ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“CAN had stated that the document generating public confusion originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stressing that it neither issued nor approved any invitation to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, to play a role in the event.

“However, the Sultan’s Media Team maintains that an official invitation card was duly sent to His Eminence, requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The invitation also listed the Senate President, Senator God’swill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.

“According to the statement, the event is to be hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, with the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and Archbishop Peter Ogunmiyiwa serving as RSVP and organising chairman.

“The Media Team expressed concern over the CAN’s denial of the invitation by the Christian body, an impression it described as unnecessary, particularly as the Sultan did not seek an invitation to attend the event.

“It emphasized that the Sultan’s presence at a Christian ceremony would foster inter-religious peace and harmony, noting his position as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). The statement also referenced global examples of interfaith engagement, where religious leaders participate in activities outside their faith traditions without negative consequences.

“The Media Team urged CAN to focus its public communications on promoting peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.”