Tinubu Assures Catholic Bishops He Will Not Be a Religious Bigot in Fighting Insecurity
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges without religious bias, stating that both Christians and Muslims are affected by the crisis.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the importance of national unity, development, and inclusivity in governance.
“This insecurity affects everyone Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
He reassured the bishops of his administration’s open-door policy, welcoming dialogue and collaboration with religious leaders.
Acknowledging the economic hardship facing Nigerians, Tinubu reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing pressing concerns. He defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, a policy that sparked widespread debate but was deemed necessary to prevent the country from financial collapse.
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“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was tough, but Nigeria had to face it. We are not going to bankrupt our country,” Tinubu stated.
Despite the initial challenges, he highlighted positive developments, including competition in the petroleum sector, increased agricultural yields, and falling commodity prices. He also pointed to growing foreign investments as a sign of economic recovery.
“There is hope. Investors are coming in and speaking positively about Nigeria. What seemed like a difficult beginning is now showing promise, and we’re not even at halftime yet,” he added.
On security, Tinubu assured the bishops that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to curtail the nation’s insecurity. He stressed that both Christians and Muslims feel the impact of these efforts.
“This country must develop beyond religious bigotry. We are taking steps to secure lives and property, and I appreciate your prayers and support,” he told the bishops.