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American TV show host Tony Perkins has revealed that First Lady Remi Tinubu approached him to discuss religious freedom issues in Nigeria, but he rejected her request because he does not want his platform used to cover up for happenings in Nigeria.
Mr Perkins, who hosts Washington Watch, disclosed this during an edition with U.S. lawmaker Chris Smith on February 4, when religious freedom was discussed.
Mr Smith was speaking about President Bola Tinubu’s government denying the killing of Christians in Nigeria and yet hiring American lobbyists to downplay the issue when Mr Perkins revealed Mrs Tinubu approached him to be featured on his platform.
“The First Lady of Nigeria was here this week, and in fact, they wanted to come on the programme to talk about religious freedom, and I said, ‘I’m not gonna meet with them or have a meeting with anybody,’” Mr Perkins said.
The broadcast journalist added, “I’m not gonna give them a platform to cover up what they’re doing in Nigeria.”
The first lady did not immediately respond to Peoples Gazette’s request for comments.
Mrs Tinubu visited the U.S. and attended the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. Her presence was recognised at the event by President Donald Trump, a development that pro-Tinubu supporters celebrated as a major diplomatic win for the Nigerian government amid pressure from the U.S. government.
Mr Tinubu has been under pressure from the American government since Mr Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over the alleged killing of Christians in November.
The first lady’s visit came months after Mr Tinubu splashed millions of dollars on Republican lobbyists to burnish his tainted reputation in Washington following Mr Trump’s 2025 remarks denouncing Nigeria as “a disgrace” under his leadership.
