Religion

Muslim-Muslim Ticket an Insult to Christians, Tinubu’s Vatican Visit Proves It – Lawal

Written by Agboola Oluwafemi on May 21, 2025

News Views: 116

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as inconsequential, asserting that it reinforces the perceived affront of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday night after attending the inauguration in Vatican City. His invitation was reportedly extended by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. During the event on Sunday, the President joined other world leaders in exchanging pleasantries with the Pope.

Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Lawal described the visit as a “non-issue,” suggesting it could have been orchestrated through lobbying efforts rather than representing a significant diplomatic milestone.

“Visiting the Pope is not necessarily a major achievement. It can be arranged by lobbyists, possibly with the right inducements,” Lawal said. “Tinubu’s presence at the Pope’s inauguration is therefore insignificant.”

Lawal further argued that the visit highlighted the marginalization of Christians in the current administration. He insisted that if a Christian held the office of Vice President, that individual should have led the delegation to the Vatican.

“Tinubu’s visit only reinforces my position that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an affront to Christians. In a fairer arrangement, a senior Christian would have represented the government at such an important Christian event,” he said.

According to Lawal, it is inappropriate for a Muslim leader to represent Nigeria before the Pope, especially when prominent Christian figures were part of the delegation. He concluded that the current political structure under Tinubu remains unfair to Nigeria’s Christian population.