President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the importance of peace and unity in Nigeria, stating that “hate is never an option” for the country’s progress.
President Tinubu made the call during the burial ceremony of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to promote peace and unity, highlighting his personal example of religious tolerance.
As a Muslim married to a Christian pastor, he emphasised that their different faiths have never caused conflict between them.
According to him, “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,” Tinubu said.
He called on religious leaders to champion peace and foster national harmony.
His words; “This must be an opportunity to promote the unity needed. To the clergy, thank you for the promotion of peace. Hate is not an option.
”We must love one another. Nobody determines what God has ordained. We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to him, ” he added.
During a meeting with Christian leaders at the COCIN Church Headquarters in Jos, Tinubu declared his mission to unite Nigerians and ensure fairness among all religions in the country.
“I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, particularly terrorism and banditry.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,” Tinubu stated.
He also highlighted his administration’s efforts to revamp the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The President paid tribute to the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, describing her as a devoted mother and humanitarian.
The APC National Chairman thanked Tinubu for his support and promised to keep the trust.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State also appreciated the President for attending the burial ceremony.
