Dons Eze
I”M NOT A RELIGIOUS BIGOT – TINUBU TO CATHOLIC BISHOPS
President Bola Tinubu yesterday 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.
