Tinubu’s Vatican Visit Sparks Outrage Amid Escalating Violence In Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming visit to the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV has been condemned by a human rights group, which described the invitation as “undeserved” and a “reward for complicity.”
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), in a statement on Saturday, accused the Tinubu administration of failing to protect Christians and non-Muslims, citing widespread killings, abductions, and forced displacements across the country.
Intersociety claimed that under Tinubu’s two-year leadership, thousands of Nigerians, particularly Christians in the North and non-Muslims in the South, have suffered from jihadist attacks and state-enabled violence.
“The invitation extended to President Tinubu is morally bankrupt,” said Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group’s chairman and lead researcher.
“It sends a dangerous message that atrocities can be overlooked for political or religious courtesy.”
The organisation warned against what it termed “collaboration between clerics and the state,” saying the presence of senior Nigerian Catholic figures in the president’s entourage risks turning religious leaders into “image launderers.”
Intersociety cited data showing that over 40 million Christians have been displaced in Northern Nigeria, with their communities destroyed and places of worship taken over.
The group said religious violence has increased significantly in the South-East, South-South, and South-West since 2015.
“The Vatican must not legitimise the rule of leaders under whose watch these crimes are committed,” said Chinwe Umeche, Head of Democracy and Good Governance at Intersociety.
President Tinubu’s delegation includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be formally installed on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square.
The Nigerian presidency said Tinubu was invited by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, who expressed deep interest in Nigeria, recalling his past service in Lagos during the 1980s.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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