President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday denied the persistent allegations of religious bigotry levelled against him, saying he has never violated his oath of office throughout his public life as a soldier, politician and administrator.

Buhari stated this when he received a delegation of the Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace in Nigeria led by Bishop John Abu Richard at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said religious leaders had a responsibility of creating an enabling environment for peace and development to thrive.

“Some voices, for political or ethnic reasons, are making unguarded statements accusing the government and myself in particular of religious bias. Let me assure you, honourable clergymen,that this is far from the truth. In my career as a soldier, administrator and a politician, I have never veered from my oath of office.

“When I had the honour to lead a military government, there were more Christians than Muslims in the Federal Executive Council and the Supreme Military Council.

“This was not by design, but I appointed people on merit without the slightest bias. The present Federal Executive Council is also very evenly balanced, again not by design but by respecting and rewarding individual qualities,” the statement quoted Buhari as saying.

The statement added that the President welcomed the group’s proposal to hold a one-day prayer and fasting meeting for the nation on April 26 and promised to direct the Inspector – General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to provide adequate security for the gathering.