President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to practise the virtues of Islam beyond the fasting season, urging them not to separate religion and morality because according to him, doing so will encourage corrupt leaders.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said religion should be the moral compass for all believers in their public and personal lives.

“If people allow the teachings of their religions to influence their conducts, problems, such as corruption, which diverts public funds to private pockets, would have been eliminated in the society.”

While regretting that selfishness and greed have overcome the conscience of most leaders in Nigeria, Buhari wondered why any true believer would seek to make profit to the detriment of others.

He urged ordinary Nigerians to stop glorifying thieves by treating them with disdain for bringing hardships to others, calling leaders to always pray for peace and unity and avoid making inflammatory utterances that would promote conflicts.

In apparent reference to the hardship in the land, Buhari added: “But these pains are temporary, the APC administration which I am privileged to lead, is beholden to the ordinary Nigerians and will leave no stone unturned to make their security, welfare and happiness our priority.”