President Bola Tinubu has said that he never compelled his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing that love and tolerance must define relationships across faiths.
The President made the clarification on Saturday during the funeral service for the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, held in Jos, Plateau State.
Tinubu, who spoke candidly before a cross-section of political and religious leaders, said he was born a Muslim but married a Christian without ever demanding a change in her faith.
“Hate is not an option for us,” the President declared. “I inherited Islam from my parents, and my wife, a pastor, inherited Christianity from hers. Yet, we live in peace. She prays for me, and I pray for her. There is no conflict in our home.”
He emphasised that religion should never divide Nigerians, adding that both faiths worship the same God and share similar moral values.
“I believe in the freedom of religion; we are praying to the same God,” Tinubu said, urging citizens to embrace unity and love as national virtues.
The President’s remarks come amid heightened concerns over religious intolerance and sectarian violence in parts of the country. Tinubu called on leaders to use their influence to foster mutual respect among adherents of all faiths, saying Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.
He concluded by reiterating his administration’s commitment to building a just and peaceful society where every citizen is free to worship without fear or prejudice.
