The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that her husband’s decision to run on a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 left her isolated in her local church, describing the experience as a “bitter pill” that tested her faith and split her parish.
She made the disclosure in her new 52-page memoir, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday. The five-chapter book, arranged by year from 2021 to 2025, features a foreword by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
According to Mrs Tinubu, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish she attended was divided over the same-faith ticket, despite her long service in the church.
“One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,” she recounted.
She explained that she had been a committed member of the parish since 2007, rising through the ranks from worker to deaconess and eventually Assistant Pastor in 2018. Despite the hostility from some members, she chose not to leave, adding that others in the church encouraged her with prayers and support.
The First Lady stressed that she has forgiven those who opposed her and her husband during the 2023 elections, noting that she drew strength from scripture and thanksgiving.
“I do not have anything against anyone…the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us,” she wrote.
Mrs Tinubu also reflected on how some of her husband’s closest allies failed to support his presidential ambition at the time, but insisted that she found peace in placing her trust in God rather than man.
President Bola Tinubu went on to win the February 2023 election, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, with Kashim Shettima as Vice-President.
