President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling insecurity without religious bias, stressing that his administration will not be swayed by sectarian sentiments.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Tinubu dismissed any notions of religious discrimination in his governance.
“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,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
He further stressed the need for national unity, stating, “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.”
On the economic front, Tinubu reassured Nigerians of his commitment to improving their welfare despite current hardships.
He reiterated that his administration’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy upon assuming office in 2023 was a tough but necessary choice.
“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 noted that investments were flowing into Nigeria, farmers were reaping bountiful harvests, and commodity prices were dropping, indicating hope for economic recovery.
“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not half-time yet. I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers.”
The President also acknowledged the devastating impact of insecurity, assuring that security agencies were making strides in addressing the situation.
He noted that both Christians and Muslims had felt the impact of the government’s efforts in curbing insecurity.
