The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday in Abuja expressed fears over the forthcoming general elections following the signposts of intolerance and violence that have characterised the campaigns.

They also warned that religions should not be allowed to divide the country.

The alarm came ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for February 14.

According to them, given the recent acts of violence witnessed in the campaigns, including the assaults on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in the North, it was obvious that the forthcoming general elections might spell crises, except urgent steps were taken to forestall the situation.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja under the aegis of Inter-Faith Initiative for Peace, Onaiyekan and Abubakar however called on the two leading presidential candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party and Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress, to accept the result of the election.

While calling on political actors to caution their followers, the clerics urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections were free, fair and creditable because “only credible polls will ensure that post-election violence is minimised.”

The sultan said, “We all know that religious leaders are the conscience of the nation. Our desire to come out and speak at this time should be well passed to every nook and cranny of this country. We are all human beings first before we are called Muslims and Christians. Both religions appreciate the sanctity of life. We have always condemned the activity of insurgents. We will continue to do that until there is no more insurgency in the country.

“We are really worried at what is happening. As religious leaders, we cannot keep quiet. We cannot pretend and say everything is okay. Everything is not okay. We are worried at what we are seeing in various campaigns and rallies. We deem it fit to join our voices in calling on everyone to ensure that there is peace. We must ensure and protect this peace.

“We must see the elections as one of the challenges that will strengthen us. It should make us better. We call on all Nigerians to come together and ensure that we have free, fair and transparent elections. We call on the INEC to have the fear of God. We want to see a situation where when the results are announced, the loser will embrace the winner. It is not going to be a winner-takes- it-all approach.

Onaiyekan spoke on the Abuja Peace Accord signed by Jonathan and Buhari and sponsored by two world reputable men of peace: former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan and ex-Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Onaiyekan urged them to ensure that the terms of the agreements were followed accordingly.

He said, “We call on all contestants to respect both the letter and the spirit of the Abuja Accord which they have signed in the presence of God and men. They should play to the rule. Let the people decide in free and fair elections.”