Remi Tinubu defends Muslim-Muslim ticket, says Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria
By Sabiu Abdullahi
First Lady Remi Tinubu has justified her husband, President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria. She made the remarks during her visit to the United States.
A pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mrs Tinubu told The Free Press that the decision for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election was political.
Explaining the choice, she said, “Let’s face it, the Muslims are more than us. If a southerner wants to run for president, politics is a game of numbers. You have to pick another Muslim. You can’t pick a Christian.”
The first lady also highlighted her role in the Presidential Villa, saying she attends to the interests of both Christians and Muslims. “I’m a Christian in the presidential villa. I take care of the interests of Christians, and I also take care of Muslims. That is what life should be. We have to respect everybody, irrespective of religion,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu, who attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the U.S., added that her trip was partly to address claims circulating on social media about alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria. She said the campaign followed her husband’s government navigating the country out of economic challenges marked by rising food prices and a declining naira.
In another interview with The Hill, Mrs Tinubu described global concerns over Christian persecution in Nigeria as “based on propaganda.”
She also urged the U.S. to intensify military strikes against terrorists and bandits in northern Nigeria, describing previous Christmas Day military actions ordered by former President Donald Trump as a “blessing” to the country.