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Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to National Unity, Inclusivity During Visit to Jos

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2025

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President Tinubu , Tribute ,Late Lydia Yilwatda

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness, unity, and inclusivity across religious lines, assuring Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his dedication to national cohesion and equitable governance.

The President gave the assurance on Saturday during a meeting with Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Jos, Plateau State, held as part of his visit to attend the funeral of the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

“I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” President Tinubu said, emphasizing that his administration’s priority remains fostering peace and development among all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Paying tribute to the late Lydia Yilwatda, who passed away at 83, the President described her as “a devoted mother and humanitarian whose life reflected faith and compassion.”

Reflecting on his personal life, Tinubu underscored his belief in religious tolerance. “In our family, we have a strong Muslim background, and I married a Christian—a pastor, for that matter—and I have never forced her to change her religion,” he stated.

He urged the clergy to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence, stressing that both political and religious leaders have a shared duty to manage the nation’s diversity for collective progress.

Speaking on national security, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s resolve to confront insecurity in all forms, including terrorism, banditry, and farmers-herders clashes.
“We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and end the farmers-herders clashes,” he assured.

The President also reaffirmed that his government is implementing economic reforms designed to improve living standards and foster inclusive growth.

Recalling his long-standing ties with Plateau State, Tinubu reminisced about his political engagements during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era, noting that Jos holds a special place in Nigeria’s democratic history.

At the funeral service, the chief mourner, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described his late mother as a resilient and compassionate woman who lived with a medical condition for 47 years yet remained committed to her family and community.
“My mother worked tirelessly despite her health challenges, always offering humanitarian assistance and support to others,” he said, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for his solidarity and leadership.

In his remarks, Reverend Dr. Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, commended President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership style, particularly his appointment of Northern Christians to key national positions such as Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman.

He also lauded the President’s efforts to restore peace in Plateau and Benue States and appealed for continued intervention to support victims of violence and displaced Christian communities in Borno and Adamawa States.

Rev. Mohzo pledged the church’s support for the success of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The funeral service was attended by several dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, as well as APC governors and ministers.

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Those criticising APC on insecurity did nothing for 20 years – Yari

Published

51 minutes ago

November 14, 2026

PlateauReports

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has criticised those accusing the ruling party of failing to address insecurity, saying they did nothing to tackle the problem for over 20 years.

Yari made the remarks on Saturday during the APC presidential rally in Jos, Plateau State, while defending the administration of President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over its handling of insecurity.

"Those who are saying we don't have a plan for security, I want to remind them that they did nothing about insecurity for over 20 years because it started during their time," Yari said

The former governor of Zamfara State assured Nigerians that the APC would implement its manifesto, adding that the party expected to achieve almost all its promises by 2031.

Yari also expressed confidence in the APC's chances in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said political leaders and influential figures in the state had assured President Tinubu of their support.

Yari further praised Tinubu's leadership, particularly over the increase in revenue accruing to the Federation Account.

He recalled that the President inherited a federation account balance of N732 billion in June 2023, but said the figure had since risen to trillions of naira.

Those criticising APC on insecurity did nothing for 20 years – Yari

News

2027: We won't endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas

Published

55 minutes ago

November 14, 2026

PlateauReports

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.

The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.

Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.

Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.

He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.

Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.

"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."

Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.

He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.

Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.

He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."

Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.

2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas