***FG debunks claims of targeted killing of Christians
President Bola Tinubu on Friday insisted that he has no religious bias neither is he a bigot.
Tinubu told a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria who visited him that for Nigeria itself to develop, it must be above religious bigotry.
He spoke on a day his government rebutted allegations by the United States of America of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the report misinformation and misleading.
The President, during his meeting with the Catholic Bishops said he was fully aware of the hardship Nigerians were facing but declared that ongoing economic reforms were necessary to build a stronger nation.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country,” he said.
He added:“We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; We were spending their rights, and poverty has no religious basis. There’s no religious colouration, no identity. It affects all, and we must fight it together.”
On security, the President noted that his government was making progress in tackling insecurity, which according to him affects Christians and Muslims alike.
“This insecurity, everyone is affected, Christians, Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church. But we have to think of our country; this country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. And I’m here open to you, ready to listen.
“We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door.”
Responding to the bishops’ request for the return of mission schools taken over by government, Tinubu explained that such decisions were under the jurisdiction of state governments.
He said he had returned mission schools when he was governor of Lagos State.
Leader of delegation, Dr. Lucius Ugorji congratulated Tinubu on his election and acknowledged the challenges posed by his economic policies.
He called for more efforts to restore public confidence, improve security, and ensure religious harmony.
“Your government’s policy mantra is anchored on the principles of Renewed Hope. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared this year as the year of hope, the Jubilee Year of Hope, a theme we adopted for our conference. We came with the final fruits of our deliberations and will share them with you,” Ugorji, who doubles as CBCN President and Archbishop of Owerri, said.
They also urged the government to stop funding religious pilgrimages, arguing that public funds should be redirected to pressing national needs.
“The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. In their current structure, the national and state pilgrims’ boards serve neither their adherents nor the broader interest of the nation. You’re undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that have led to the removal of some board executives to ensure greater efficiency and accountability,” Ugorji stated.
Tinubu committed to religious tolerance, Says Bwala
Responding to the report of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee alleging persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said the US report lacked proper context and was not reflective of the current situation in Nigeria.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu promotes religious tolerance. Since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, there have been little to no cases of persecution of Christians anywhere in the country,” Bwala wrote on his X handle.
“The administration of @officialABAT President Bola Tinubu promotes religious tolerance . Since May 29th 2023, when President Tinubu assumed the office as president, there have been little or no case at all of persecution of Christians anywhere in the country.
“Secondly, while we are in no way admitting or authenticating the report of the US Foreign Relations Committee, it is noteworthy to state that the committee’s report falls short of context and timelines.”
He further emphasized that the Tinubu administration remains dedicated to fostering peace and coexistence among all religious groups in Nigeria.
“President Bola Tinubu remains committed to promoting peace and religious tolerance”, he said.
It’s all misinformation— Foreign Affairs Ministry
In a separate statement on Friday, acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the report was intended to influence foreign governments, especially the United States Government, to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), due to the violence against Christians.
Nigeria, he said, remains a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender.
He said: “While the Federal Government acknowledges the security challenges confronting the nation, it is imperative to clarify that these negative activities are not driven by religious bias, nor targeted against any particular religious group. It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion. Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading.
“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender. The security issues in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted and manifest as criminality, terrorism and communal clashes – including farmer/herder confrontation, that do not have any religious connotation.
“The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken significant steps to address these security concerns, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering and community engagement initiatives. Indeed, the military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents. To bring an end to such security challenges, both the Federal and State authorities have embarked on kinetic and non-kinetic methods and expedited the implementation of the national livestock plan.
“To this end, a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established while a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms, has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to end contestations over land, between farmers and pastoral herders.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, urges the international community to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions or making statements that could exacerbate tensions within Nigeria. We call on all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.
“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage. We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in addressing our security challenges. However, we strongly reject any attempts to wrongly designate the country, distort the narrative, or sow seeds of discord among our people.”
