The Presidency on Thursday dismissed claims circulating on social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had converted from Islam to Christianity, describing the reports as false and misleading.
Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, reacted to the viral claims in a statement posted on his X handle, where he urged Nigerians to ignore the video and messages making the rounds online.
According to him, President Tinubu has always practised Islam and there has been no change in his religious identity.
“Please disregard the video circulating claiming PBAT has converted. It is a lie,” Olusegun wrote.
He explained that the President’s family has always reflected religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, noting that while Tinubu is a Muslim, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is a Christian and also a pastor.
Olusegun said the relationship between the President and the First Lady shows an example of interfaith harmony and mutual respect, not religious conflict or conversion.
“President Tinubu has always been a Muslim, while proudly supporting his wife, who is a Pastor,” he stated.
“This unique interfaith harmony in his own home is what he brings to national leadership, which is unity and not conversion.”
The clarification followed the circulation of a video and social media posts claiming that the President had abandoned Islam for Christianity.
The video quickly spread across different social media platforms, attracting reactions from supporters and critics of the government.
Although the source of the rumour could not be independently confirmed, the Presidency moved swiftly to deny the claim amid growing public discussion online.
Religion remains a sensitive issue in Nigeria, especially in politics, where leaders are often closely watched over ethnic and religious matters.
During the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket generated national debate after he selected Kashim Shettima, another Muslim, as his running mate.
While supporters defended the decision as based on competence and political strategy, critics argued that it failed to reflect Nigeria’s religious diversity.
Despite the controversy at the time, Tinubu repeatedly called for unity and insisted that religion should not divide Nigerians.
Tinubu and his wife have long been known for maintaining different religious beliefs within the same household.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and has publicly spoken about her Christian faith on several occasions.
The President, on the other hand, has consistently identified as a Muslim throughout his political career.
Supporters of the President say the family represents peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance, values many Nigerians believe are necessary in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria.
The Presidency’s response also highlights growing concerns over misinformation and fake news on social media.
In recent years, false reports, manipulated videos and unverified claims have become common online, especially around political figures and government activities.
The Federal Government has repeatedly urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it online, warning that fake news could create unnecessary tension and confusion in the country.
Some supporters of the President also took to social media after the clarification to defend Tinubu and criticise those behind the rumour.
Others called for more responsible use of digital platforms, especially when discussing sensitive national issues such as religion and politics.
Meanwhile, the Presidency insisted that there was no truth in the conversion claim and urged the public to ignore the reports.
The statement by Dada Olusegun is expected to calm speculations surrounding the issue and reassure supporters of the President about his religious identity.