TheCable

Remi Tinubu, the first lady, says at over 60 years of age, she is too seasoned to be afraid of death.

The first lady spoke on Tuesday while reacting to the recent death threats issued by Idris Tenshi, an Islamic cleric from Bauchi state.

Tenshi in a sermon, described the wife of the president as an “infidel” who should be killed.

The cleric who delivered his sermon in Hausa, said “Tinubu’s wife is an unbeliever and even among the unbelievers, she is a leader”.

The cleric later apologised to the first lady for his comments.

However, the first lady, during a visit to Bauchi on Tuesday, said she was not bothered by the preacher’s diatribe.

“I want to thank the Bauchi state governor for assuring me that I am safe, but I want to say that I am too old to be afraid,” NAN quoted the first lady as saying.

“If God has granted me more than 60 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death.

“I thank God that you encouraged me to come and I want to say that Nigeria belongs to all of us. This is the time for us to unite more than ever before.”

On his part, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, condemned the death threat on the first lady, adding that it was a “national embarrassment”.

Mohammed apologised to the first lady for the comments and assured her that the cleric would be punished.

He said Remi has excelled as a senator and as “a politician that has opened the new frontier of politics and politicking”.

“I am particularly disappointed and frustrated that the death threats came from someone from Bauchi state,” the governor said.

“It is a national embarrassment that someone from Bauchi state would threaten the wife of the president.

“I want to apologise to the first lady over the incident and assure her that the person will not be spared.

“Your renewed hope programme is being genuinely embraced because you have set aside all differences related to politics and partisanship.

“I am aware of some of the challenges and threats to your life and person by somebody from this state. I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day as a courageous mother by deciding to come to Bauchi.

“This distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working and that Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives.

“We are very grateful; your life is more important to us than our own lives. Nothing will happen to you.”