Tinubu’s Vatican visit draws criticism as insult to Christians

DDM News

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has once again voiced strong disapproval of Nigeria’s current Muslim-Muslim leadership arrangement.

He particularly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ ceremonial inauguration, describing it as a calculated insult to Nigeria’s Christian community.

The former SGF made his remarks during a live interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

In the televised segment, Lawal questioned the significance of President Tinubu’s attendance at the Vatican event.

According to him, the visit was not a diplomatic achievement but rather the product of lobbying efforts.

Lawal insisted that such meetings with religious leaders can be arranged behind the scenes by those with access and influence.

He stated that had there been a Christian Vice President, as many expected in a religiously diverse country like Nigeria, the visit would have made more meaningful representation for Christians.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Babachir Lawal emphasized that the symbolic optics of a Muslim President leading a Nigerian delegation to a papal event underscores what he called the injustice of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He argued that such a political configuration disregards Nigeria’s religious sensitivities and undermines unity in a nation that is almost evenly split between Muslims and Christians.

The former SGF added that Tinubu’s trip to the Vatican reinforces his earlier position that the Muslim-Muslim leadership combination alienates Christian citizens.

He expressed frustration that instead of fostering inclusivity, the Tinubu-Shettima administration continues to overlook the religious balance expected in Nigeria’s highest offices.

Lawal had been a vocal critic of the APC’s decision to pair Bola Tinubu, a Muslim from the South, with Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from the North, in the 2023 presidential election.

Before the election, Lawal warned that the ticket could provoke resentment among Christians and widen divisions.

Despite these warnings, the APC pressed forward with its decision, eventually winning the election.

Now, Lawal believes recent symbolic acts like Tinubu’s papal visit validate the concerns he and others raised during the campaign.

In his words, the situation is not just about religion but about equity, national integration, and mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse populations.

He insisted that inclusivity in leadership appointments remains essential for peace and unity, especially in a country as multi-ethnic and multi-religious as Nigeria.

President Tinubu’s Vatican visit continues to stir debate on the appropriateness of the Muslim-Muslim ticket and what it portends for religious representation in Nigeria’s political sphere.

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