Economy
Tinubu Reveals How He Nearly Quit 2023 Presidential Race
Tinubu Reveals How He Nearly Quit 2023 Presidential Race
Tinubu reveals how he nearly quit 2023 presidential race. Mr Tinubu thanked the guests for their presence, payers and contributions to the country’s development.
President Bola Tinubu has said nearly quit the 2023 presidential race. Mr Tinubu stated this at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Presidential Villa on Saturday.
Mr Tinubu thanked guests for their presence, prayers, and contributions to the nation’s development, and appreciated Nigerians for their outpouring of goodwill and prayers as he marked his 73rd birthday.
Reflecting on his political journey, Mr Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during the 2023 election campaign when he contemplated withdrawing from the race after an encounter with a close relative.
He said, “Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle.
“He told me, ‘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? 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,’” said Tinubu.
Mr Tinubu stated that his uncle later called to confirm receiving the money but admitted that he had only given the messenger N10,000 and kept the rest.
“I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me. When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the chairman of the North-West Group; don’t look back’,” he said.
Mr Tinubu noted that he assumed office during a time of economic uncertainty and had to make immediate, difficult decisions, including removing the fuel subsidy.
“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.
Noting that Nigeria had reached a point of no return on the issue, the President said: “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.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the President’s sacrifices, stating that history would remember him as the leader who took on the nation’s most complex challenges.
“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.
“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it. And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face.
Tinubu Reveals How
“But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices,” he said.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, praised Mr Tinubu’s ability to forgive and his relentless passion for national development.
Mr Akpabio described the President as a leader who thinks outside the box and as the ‘most audacious president’ in the country’s history.
He said that under Mr Tinubu’s watch, governors were getting more allocation.
“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described Mr Tinubu as a leader who has broken barriers and uplifted future Nigerian politicians.
He noted that the Mr Tinubu had taken a backseat to raising leaders for decades.
“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,” he said.
Also, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended Mr Tinubu’s decisive leadership at a time when Nigeria needed stability.
“Only a leader with deep conviction and love for the country could have taken the bold and yet necessary decisions that averted national collapse and now restoring hope and confidence across the federation,” he said.
Commenting, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, shared his personal experience of being appointed by Mr Tinubu despite his past activism.
He said, “Before my appointment, I had never met the President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I am giving you an opportunity to serve.”
The minister recounted a recent meeting at the World Bank, where a senior official described Mr Tinubu as the best reformist leader in Africa today.
Mr Tinubu’s childhood friend, Prof. Shaffideen Amuwo, reminisced about their early years and how divine providence led him to the presidency.
He stated, “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. The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth.
I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country.”
SRRBDA Board Chair Bello Wurno Commits To Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’
SRRBDA board chair Bello Wurno commits to Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. Bello Wurno has reaffirmed the management’s commitment to fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s expectations.
Bello Wurno, the newly appointed chairman of the governing board of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, has reaffirmed the management’s commitment to fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s expectations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr Wurno expressed his appreciation to Mr Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North) for entrusting him with the significant role.
He vowed that the new SRRBDA management would align its efforts with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on key areas of food security, poverty reduction, empowerment and accelerated rural economic growth.
“Our collaboration in these critical sectors will be a top priority.
“I assure stakeholders in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara states of our unwavering commitment to restoring the Authority’s glory with renewed vigour and productivity,” he said.
Mr Wurno acknowledged that his appointment, facilitated by Aliyu and Wamakko, was not a personal achievement but an honour bestowed upon the entire people of the state.
“I rely on your continuous prayers, support, and cooperation to help us succeed in this challenging task,” he added.
Mr Wurno also commended Mr Aliyu’s administration for its achievements and dedication to delivering the direly needed dividends of democracy to all parts of the state.
SRRBDA Board Chair Bello Wurno
“In Sokoto state, we have every reason to appreciate our hardworking governor for his unwavering dedication to delivering the dividends of democracy to all corners of the state.
“His commitment to facilitating key appointments for prominent individuals from the state at the national level is commendable,” he said.
Mr Wurno further assured us that the new SRRBDA management consists of a formidable team capable of taking the agency to an enviable position.
APC Grants Automatic Return Ticket For 2027 To Cross River Governor Otu
APC grants automatic return ticket for 2027 to Cross River Governor Otu. He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River, on Monday, granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s chairman, Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.
Mr Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.
He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.
“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.
He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”
He added that even if Mr Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.
“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Mr Eba stated.
Bassey Otu
He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.
Mr Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Mr Tinubu’s decision.
He applauded the president for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis.
Gov. Umo Eno Applauds Amitec For Donating 10 Water Projects To Akwa Ibom Communities
Gov. Umo Eno applauds Amitec for donating 10 water projects to Akwa Ibom communities.…calls on other contractors, companies to emulate same
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has commended Amitec Construction and Development limited for initiating a corporate Social responsibility project mainly targeted at rural development, youth empowerment and educational advancement.
The Governor made the commendations on Saturday, while inaugurating the 23km Ikot Ekaide- Ikot Okoro- Ikot Ibritam road handled by the construction giants.
“Let me thank the MD of Amitec for taking the lead in sponsoring 5 Trainees to the Dakkada skills acquisition center and donating 10 water projects to communities in Oruk Anam as well as 50,000 copies of branded exercise books to the ministry of education.
“Earlier today, I was at DASAC for the convocation of pioneer Trainees of that institution where I called on contractors to support by sponsoring trainees for the next batch. I am very happy that our brother in Amitec has taken the lead.
“This of the kind of thing we want to see. So, I am calling on other contractors to also sponsor students to the skills training institute. When they finish, you give them starter-packs to start up something on their own” Gov Eno Stressed.
He however, directed the commissioner for education to ensure that 25,000 copies of those exercise books are distributed to schools in Oruk Anam while the other 25,000 can be shared to other schools across the state.
Speaking on the road project, Pastor Eno who was also full of praises to Amitec for quality delivery, expressed satisfaction that a project inherited from his predecessor at 50 percent has been completed.
He promised to complete all other economically- viable inherited projects across the state while directing that solar street lights be fixed on the whole stretch of the 23km road.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Amitec, Chief Aiman Saimua who was grateful to Governor Eno for his developmental strides and passion for rural development, said the company’s donation was simply to complement the Government’s visible effort in making life better for the citizens. His speech reads in parts:
DAKKADA
“I feel honoured to have been chosen to handle this transformative project which represents a testimony that government in Akwa Ibom State is a continuum.
“The entire stretch of this road traverses 15 villages, out of which 10 of those villages belong to the 12.5km that was handled by Amitec.
“Therefore, to complement the developmental strides of the state government, we will donate 10 water projects for the 10 villages within our section, donate 50,000 copies of branded exercise books to the education ministry and also sponsor initially, 5 persons to DASAC.
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 months agoList Of 42 Executive Orders Of Trump
-
News2 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Politics2 months agoPresident Trump Changes Divorce Law, No 50% Property Shares
-
Health care3 weeks agoNiMet Warns FCT, Other 18 States Of Impending Heat Stress, Advises Safety Measures
-
Economy2 months agoEnugu-Onitsha Expressway: Many Feared Dead, 8 Vehicles Burnt In Tanker Explosion
-
Economy2 months agoTinubu Allocated N940 Billion To TETfund In 2025 Budget