By B adagry Today President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he almost abandoned his 2023 presidential ambition due to moments of doubt dur...
By Badagry Today
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he almost abandoned his 2023 presidential ambition due to moments of doubt during the election campaign.
Speaking on Saturday night at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, who was marking his 73rd birthday, expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their overwhelming support and prayers. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, shared excerpts of the President’s speech in a statement released early Sunday titled, “President Tinubu Appreciates Nigerians for Birthday Well Wishes, Reveals He Nearly Quit 2023 Presidential Race.”
Reflecting on the pressures he faced, Tinubu narrated how a relative visited him in the early hours of the morning, questioning his determination.
“During the campaigns, someone came to my living room at around 3:30 a.m. asking for N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle. He lamented, ‘The currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?’”
Tinubu continued, “I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it.’”
The President admitted that the encounter nearly made him abandon his ambition, but support from allies like Aminu Masari encouraged him to persist.
“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back.’”
Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced on his journey to the presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.
He highlighted his prompt decision to remove fuel subsidy on his inauguration day as an example of decisive leadership.
“The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone. The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future,” Tinubu stated.
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s bold leadership, noting that his decisions have addressed issues previous administrations avoided.
“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy,” Shettima said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also lauded Tinubu’s “relentless passion for national development,” describing him as the “most audacious president” in Nigeria’s history.
“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” Akpabio joked, noting that governors now receive increased allocations under Tinubu’s administration.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu recalled Tinubu’s political support during a challenging period in 2019, praising his ability to rise above tribal considerations.
“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he supported me in my most difficult political moment. Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” Kalu remarked.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State commended Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” amid national uncertainties, describing him as a leader with “deep conviction and love for the country.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, who spoke on behalf of cabinet members, highlighted Tinubu’s reformist credentials. According to Tijjani, a senior World Bank official recently described Tinubu as “the best reformist leader in Africa today.”
One of Tinubu’s childhood friends, Professor Shaffideen Amuwo, attributed the President’s rise to divine providence.
“Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children. While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak. Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria,” Amuwo said.
Tinubu, who expressed gratitude to guests and supporters, reaffirmed his resolve to steer Nigeria towards stability and growth.
The event was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana, members of the Federal Executive Council, principal officers of the National Assembly, current and former governors, diplomats, business leaders, religious figures, and several of the President’s childhood friends.
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