President Bola Tinubu has emphasized that there is no place for hate in Nigeria, urging citizens to promote peace and unity across the country.
Speaking at the burial ceremony of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, in Jos, Plateau State, Tinubu stressed the importance of tolerance and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
Tinubu cited his own marriage as an example of peaceful coexistence, where he, a Muslim, is married to a Christian pastor. “Hate is never an option for us. I was born into Islam and have remained a Muslim, while my wife is a pastor. She prays for me, and there has never been any conflict between us. I have never tried to persuade her to convert,” he said.
The President emphasized that Nigerians are all accountable to one divine authority, stating, “We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to Him.” Tinubu urged the clergy to champion peace and promote national unity, adding that “this must be an opportunity to promote the unity needed.”
Tinubu’s message of peace and unity comes as he faces challenges in tackling insecurity, particularly terrorism and banditry. He assured that his administration is committed to defeating bandits and combating farmer-herder clashes. “We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” he said.
The President’s call for peace and unity has been echoed by many Nigerians, who believe that hate speech and intolerance have no place in the country’s diverse society. Tinubu’s leadership has been praised for promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
As the country moves forward, Tinubu’s message of love and unity serves as a reminder of the importance of putting aside differences and working towards a common goal. “We must love one another. Nobody determines what God has ordained,” he emphasized.
