President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday dismissed claims of religious genocide in Nigeria, insisting that no religion is under si...
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday dismissed claims of religious genocide in Nigeria, insisting that no religion is under siege in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of a book documenting ten years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in power, authored by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Tinubu described the allegations as “unfounded and misleading.”
“Here, no faith is under siege, no community is excluded. Our churches, mosques, and traditional shrines stand side by side—not as rivals, but as symbols of the unity that binds us,” the President told the audience at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Convention Centre in Owerri.
He warned against attempts by external actors to fuel division among Nigerians, stressing that the country’s diversity was a source of strength rather than weakness.
The President, who also commissioned key projects in the state—including the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, the Assumpta Twin Flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Convention Centre—highlighted the achievements of the APC since 2015.
Tinubu said the party, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, laid the foundation for stabilising Nigeria through investments in infrastructure, efforts against terrorism, and improvements in public finance. While acknowledging challenges and mistakes, he maintained that Nigeria was no longer where it was a decade ago.
“APC may not be perfect, but we are purposeful. And we will not allow Nigeria to return to the wasted years of drift,” he said.
The President also reassured the South-East of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, promising that the region would not be left behind under his Renewed Hope agenda.
The event attracted prominent political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; former APC chairmen Adams Oshiomhole and Abdullahi Ganduje; former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Ahmad Lawan; as well as former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba and APC founding Chairman Chief Bisi Akande.
Also present were governors of APC states, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, student unions, and market associations.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio commended Tinubu for initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said had enabled more underprivileged students to access higher education.
Governor Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, lauded Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying increased allocations to states had made many projects possible. He said his book, A Decade of Leadership in Nigeria, was inspired by the APC’s political journey and achievements.
The book was reviewed by Prof. Benett Chima Nwanguma.
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