Oluremi Tinubu rejects Christian genocide claims, citing terrorism and criminality as the main drivers of insecurity in Nigeria
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed allegations that Christians in Nigeria are being systematically targeted, revealing that she faced personal persecution for being married to a Muslim.
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Tinubu spoke during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), addressing concerns about religious violence in Nigeria and the country’s broader security challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I don’t think so,” Tinubu said, adding that insecurity in Nigeria is primarily driven by terrorism, criminality, and long-standing instability rather than a coordinated religious agenda.
“When you have terrorists and people kidnapping for money, and when the world is throwing in a narrative that is Christian genocide, terrorists will latch onto that and begin to attack churches,” she explained.
An ordained Pentecostal pastor, Tinubu disclosed that she experienced hostility because of her Christian faith and interfaith marriage to President Bola Tinubu.
“There was a Muslim cleric that said I’m a heathen,” she revealed, noting that many who defended her at the time were Muslims from Northern Nigeria.
The First Lady said her nearly four-decade marriage highlights the complex and often misunderstood nature of religious relations in Nigeria.
“If I’m going to enjoy my marriage, Jesus has to come in and give me that peace. My husband is a good man,” she added.
While rejecting the genocide narrative, Tinubu acknowledged the gravity of insecurity in Nigeria and welcomed international collaboration to combat terrorism.
She thanked US President Donald Trump for military support, which she said helped prevent attacks during the last Christmas period.
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Nigeria continues to struggle with insurgency, banditry, and communal violence, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced, fueling global debate over the root causes of insecurity in the country.
