- Tinubu Has Not Converted to Christianity – Presidency
- Describe it as part of a growing pattern of digitally manipulated conten
- The Presidency cautioned Nigerians to verify information before sharing
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to disregard a viral TikTok video claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu converted from Islam to Christianity during a crusade in Abuja.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the video alleged that the purported conversion took place at a programme organised by Zion Prayer Movement led by Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, and further claimed that the President arrived in a convoy and knelt before the cleric for prayers.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Be Your Brother’s Keeper to End Insecurity – Oba Akiolu
- Tinubu Accepts APC 2027 Presidential Ticket
- Why Godfatherism Still Thrives in Africa Despite Being a Political Curse
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Presidency dismissed the claim as false, describing it as part of a growing pattern of digitally manipulated content aimed at misleading the public and provoking religious tension.
“Yesterday, it was a manipulated video overlaid with fake audio and false attributions intended to portray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a negative light… Today, it is another deepfake video falsely framed around a religious leader in a calculated attempt to provoke Muslims against the President. The pattern is becoming increasingly obvious,” the statement said.
The Presidency warned that as the political season approaches, “desperate actors will continue to manufacture outrage, distort faith, manipulate context, spread falsehoods, and push dangerous emotional bait across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups in an attempt to divide Nigerians for political gain.”
It emphasised that President Tinubu has never concealed his Islamic faith, noting that he is married to a Christian and continues to lead a multi-religious nation anchored on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
“His position has always been clear: Nigeria belongs to Christians, Muslims, and citizens of every faith and background who believe in peace, progress, and national unity,” the Presidency stated.
The statement further referenced the President’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, in which he highlighted shared values between Christianity and Islam, including compassion, sacrifice, justice, peace, and love for humanity.
The Presidency cautioned Nigerians to verify information before sharing, stressing the importance of questioning the intent behind emotionally charged online content.
“This is not faith or patriotism. Neither is it politics. This is coordinated manipulation at scale,” it added.
It also warned that individuals involved in the creation and spread of malicious falsehoods and inciting content may be tracked and prosecuted under Nigeria’s cybercrime, public mischief, and national security laws.
