Remi Tinubu recounts church backlash over Muslim-Muslim ticket in new memoir
First Lady and wife of President Bola Tinubu, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed how the latter’s decision to contest the 2023 presidential election on a Muslim-Muslim ticket caused divisions within her local church and put her faith to the test.
The disclosure is contained in her 52-page memoir, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday. The book, which chronicles the years 2021 to 2025, features a foreword by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
In the memoir, Mrs Tinubu described the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket pairing President Tinubu with Vice President Kashim Shettima as “a bitter pill” that left her isolated in her parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
“My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly…was split,” she wrote, explaining that while some members expressed resentment, others, particularly elders, encouraged her with prayers and support.
Despite the hostility, she maintained her presence in church, stating: “I thank God I have grown from being a baby to a mature Christian. So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God.”
The First Lady, who has been a member of RCCG since 2007, also reflected on her growth in the church, rising from the new members’ class to become an Assistant Pastor in 2018. She expressed appreciation to her congregation for making her feel welcome whenever she returned from Abuja during her years as a senator.
She further recounted feelings of betrayal and hesitation from some of her husband’s political allies in the build-up to his presidential bid, despite his long-standing ambition. According to her, many of those she expected to support his decision were reluctant until the campaign gathered momentum.
President Tinubu went on to win the February 2023 election, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, with Kashim Shettima emerging as Vice President.
