Having A Pastor As His Wife Shows Tinubu Has No Hand In Religious Genocide – Jimoh Ibrahim

Ambassador-designate and Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s marriage to a pastor indicates that he is not involved in any Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Ibrahim, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, stated this while reacting to American President Donald Trump’s acknowledgement of First Lady, Remi Tinubu.

Speaking via a statement, he commended Remi Tinubu for what he described as a strategic diplomatic intervention that has helped reshape global perceptions of Nigeria, particularly in the United States.

“If the President can have a pastor as his wife, then it is evident that he has no hand in religious genocide, which Nigeria is not known for,” the Senator stated.

He noted that the First Lady’s presence at such influential forums had helped redirect international opinion to view Nigeria’s security challenges as a national issue rather than a religious agenda, adding that this would encourage fair and merit-based international support for the Tinubu administration.

Ibrahim emphasised that diplomacy goes beyond formal meetings, describing the First Lady’s engagement as an action driven by influence rather than rhetoric.

“For her to gain access to that level of engagement is a demonstration of influence rooted in religious diplomacy, which lies at the centre of the global misunderstanding about Nigeria,” he said.

The Senator added that international relations are interest-driven and that perceptions of Nigeria, particularly by some national and international political interests, had been shaped by religious sentiment.

He said the First Lady’s intervention sent a clear message that while Nigeria faces security challenges, the President has no role in any religious persecution.

Describing her as a stabilising diplomatic force, Ibrahim said her action had achieved in one moment what would ordinarily require years of diplomatic engagement.

“This is a case of action speaking louder than words. History will be kind to her,” he added.