President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he nearly abandoned his 2023 presidential bid following a moment of doubt during the election campaign.
Speaking at a special Iftar held in his honor at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Saturday night, Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming support and prayers as he marked his 73rd birthday.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, released excerpts of the President’s speech in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu Appreciates Nigerians for Birthday Well Wishes, Reveals He Nearly Quit 2023 Presidential Race’, which was made public early Sunday.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Tinubu recounted an emotional encounter with a close relative, which shook his resolve.
He revealed that one night at around 3:30 a.m., a relative came to his living room and told him he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for their uncle.
The relative lamented that the currency situation had deteriorated because of Tinubu’s candidacy, and people were struggling due to cash scarcity. Even their wealthy uncle did not have N10,000 in cash. The relative then questioned his decision to run, asking what he was running for.
In response, Tinubu affirmed his determination and stated that he was running for President, not for the relative or their uncle.
After handing him the money, the relative skeptically remarked that he did not think Tinubu would make it, to which Tinubu replied with confidence that he would.
The President admitted that moment nearly made him reconsider his ambition. He was amazed at the situation and almost dropped the idea of running for President but credited Aminu Masari and others for encouraging him.
He recounted that when he came to Abuja, Masari, the former Governor of Katsina State, assured him that as the Chairman of the North West Group, he should not look back.
The President acknowledged the hurdles encountered on the road to the presidency and reassured Nigerians of his unwavering commitment to national development.
He emphasized that his administration inherited economic challenges, which necessitated difficult but crucial decisions. On the day of his inauguration, he had to decide on something not originally in his speech—the removal of fuel subsidy.
He explained that the hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day he declared that the subsidy was gone.
Tinubu recalled facing immediate backlash following his decision but stood firm, knowing it was in the best interest of the country.
The next day, he was hounded and thoroughly criticized in the media, but he remained resolute because he knew it was the right move for the nation’s future.
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s bold leadership, highlighting that his decisions have resolved long-standing national challenges.
He stated that thanks to Tinubu’s courage, future presidents of Nigeria would not have to grapple with the ghosts that haunted previous administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.
Shettima emphasized that many before Tinubu sidestepped these thorny issues, but he came to rewrite history. In doing so, he has taken the bullets that others before him lacked the courage to face.
He noted that true leadership is not for those who seek comfort but for those who make tough choices for national greatness.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also lauded Tinubu’s commitment to national development, describing him as the most audacious president in Nigeria’s history.
Akpabio remarked that if he had been a governor under Tinubu’s administration, he would have been a supernatural governor and not just an uncommon governor.
He pointed out that state governors now receive increased allocations under Tinubu’s leadership.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, commended the President for his political support in 2019, despite coming from different regions.
As Tinubu continues to navigate his presidency, his reflections on past struggles underscore his determination to drive Nigeria forward amid economic and political challenges.
Tags
local