KOGI AIDE URGES TOLERANCE AFTER VIRAL VIDEO OF ROADSIDE PRAYER DISPUTE

The Senior Special Assistant on Cybercrime to the Kogi State Governor, Promise Emmanuel, has appealed for greater religious tolerance following the circulation of a viral video showing a woman confronting Muslims who were praying on a road. The incident, which occurred on Friday, generated attention online and prompted discussions about religious practices, public spaces and the need for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

Emmanuel, in a Facebook post, acknowledged that blocking roads for Friday prayers was wrong but said the practice could be linked to the large number of Muslims who gather for congregational prayers and the limited availability of space in some locations. He argued that while such activities may inconvenience other road users, religious communities should also consider how their practices affect people around them and seek ways to avoid unnecessary disruption.

The governor’s aide also drew attention to practices associated with Christian evangelism, citing instances where people preach in homes without invitation, approach passengers in buses to preach or use loudspeakers in public places. He said such activities could equally cause discomfort to others, arguing that tolerance should apply across religious lines rather than being demanded from only one faith group.

His comments came after the video showed prayer mats spread across a road as a group of Muslims performed prayers, with a woman appearing to confront one of the worshippers. Another person was seen intervening during the exchange. The footage subsequently circulated widely online, bringing renewed attention to questions surrounding religious expression and the use of public spaces for worship.

Emmanuel said Christians and Muslims in Nigeria share more similarities than differences and should recognise their common humanity despite their separate religious beliefs. He stressed that tolerance was necessary in a diverse society, where people with different beliefs and practices live alongside one another, and called for mutual understanding rather than confrontation as communities navigate religious differences.