President Bola Tinubu has called for national unity, emphasizing that Nigeria must rise above religious and ethnic divides to achieve sustainable development.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its president, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Tinubu addressed pressing national issues, including economic reforms, insecurity, and religious tolerance.
The president acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, attributing them to ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing the nation’s future. He particularly defended the removal of the fuel subsidy, a policy that has sparked widespread hardship but, according to him, was necessary for long-term growth.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face,” Tinubu said. “We are not going to bankrupt our country. We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; we were spending their rights.”
He stressed that poverty does not recognize religious or ethnic boundaries and urged citizens to work together in tackling economic challenges.
“Poverty has no religious basis. It affects all, and we must fight it together,” he added.
The president also pointed to tax reforms as a means of national development, encouraging Nigerians to see taxation as an investment in the country’s progress.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Tinubu reassured the bishops that security agencies were making progress in combatting threats across the country. He called for collective efforts to address security concerns, emphasizing that violence and crime do not discriminate between religions.
“This insecurity affects everyone. Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot,” Tinubu said, referencing his own interfaith family. “My wife is a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church.”
Reiterating his commitment to fostering religious harmony, the president stressed that national development must transcend religious differences.
“This country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door,” he assured the bishops.
Despite the economic and security challenges, Tinubu painted a hopeful picture of Nigeria’s future. He pointed to increased competition in the petroleum sector, improved agricultural productivity, and declining commodity prices as signs of progress.
“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that,” he said. “What seemed to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not even at half-time yet.”
The president expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their prayers and support, emphasizing that their faith and optimism were crucial in navigating the nation’s challenges.
“I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers,” he said.
