Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Rise Above Religious Divisions
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to live in peace and harmony irrespective of their religious beliefs, emphasizing that faith should unite rather than divide the nation.
Speaking on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during the funeral service of Mrs. Lydia Yilwatda, mother of Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu said that God’s will transcends human understanding, and all worshippers ultimately serve the same Almighty.
“Nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and His prophecies are what matter,” the president stated.
Sharing a personal reflection, Tinubu highlighted religious tolerance within his family, revealing that though he is a Muslim, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is a pastor — yet their differences in faith have never caused friction.
“I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me. No conflict. I have never, at any time, tried to convince or convert her,” he said.
Tinubu said his marriage symbolizes the unity Nigeria can achieve when citizens focus on shared values and mutual respect rather than religious or ethnic differences.
“I believe in the freedom of religion. We are praying to the same God and are answerable to Him. Our deeds, character, and love for one another are what truly matter — not our religious method or belief,” the president added.
He also paid tribute to the late Mrs. Lydia Yilwatda, describing her as a woman of deep faith and selfless service, and prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.
