President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured northern Christians that his administration remains committed to religious fairness and unity, declaring that faith should never be a barrier to love or leadership in Nigeria.
Speaking during his visit to Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, the President revealed that even in his own home, religious tolerance has always been a guiding principle.
“I never asked my wife to change her religion,” Tinubu said, drawing applause from the crowd.
“She is a Christian, and I have always respected her faith. What matters most is love, integrity, and the way we treat each other.”
The President, who was in the state for the funeral of the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, used the occasion to address northern church leaders at the COCIN Headquarters Church in Jos.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony, describing division and intolerance as obstacles to national progress.
“Nigeria is blessed with both Christians and Muslims. Our diversity is our strength, not a weakness. We must continue to live in peace and respect one another’s beliefs,” he said.
Tinubu also praised religious leaders in Plateau for their role in fostering peace despite years of conflict in the region.
He urged them to continue preaching unity and forgiveness, promising that the Federal Government would not relent in tackling insecurity across the North.
“The work of peace is not for government alone,” he added. “Clerics and traditional leaders are key partners in rebuilding trust among our people.”
AFRIPOST reports that the visit carried both emotional and political significance, as Tinubu sought to strengthen ties with northern Christians amid lingering concerns about religious balance in governance.
By openly referencing his marriage to a Christian wife, analysts believe Tinubu was sending a symbolic message of inclusivity to Nigerians ahead of a new phase in his administration’s unity drive.
The President later joined other dignitaries at the funeral service before returning to Lagos in the evening.