President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he will not allow religious bias to affect his approach to addressing security challenges in the country.
Speaking on Friday when he received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims, and he remains committed to fairness.
“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 the Redeemed Christian Church,” he said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
He added that Nigeria must rise above religious divisions, saying, “This country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. I’m open to you and ready to listen. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door.”
Amid economic hardship, the President assured Nigerians that his government is focused on improving the situation. He said his administration took difficult decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, to prevent the country from going bankrupt.
“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.
According to him, the economy is beginning to show signs of improvement, with increased competition in the petroleum sector, better harvests for farmers, and a drop in commodity prices.
“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. What seemed to be a difficult beginning is now showing us hope,” he said.
The President acknowledged the impact of insecurity on all Nigerians, saying the security agencies are working hard to tackle the situation.
He assured Nigerians that his government remains focused on ensuring a safer country for all, regardless of religion.
Tinubu also thanked the bishops for their prayers and continuous support, emphasizing his determination to lead a government that listens to the people.
