President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he almost abandoned his 2023 presidential ambition due to moments 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 reflected on the intense pressures he faced.
“I almost dropped the idea of running for President,” he admitted, while also expressing gratitude to Nigerians for their overwhelming goodwill and prayers on his 73rd birthday.
According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu recounted a particular encounter with a relative who questioned his decision to contest.
“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one 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.’”
Tinubu admitted that the encounter made him reconsider his decision but credited Aminu Masari and other supporters for encouraging him to stay in the race.
“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back.’”
The President acknowledged the economic challenges he inherited and highlighted the tough choices he had to make, including the removal of fuel subsidies on his inauguration day.
“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal.
“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 leadership, stating that his decisions have resolved lingering issues that haunted past administrations.
“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 described Tinubu as Nigeria’s “most audacious president,” while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu commended the President for rising above tribal considerations in his political support.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma hailed Tinubu’s “decisive leadership,” and Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, noted that a senior World Bank official had recently called Tinubu “the best reformist leader in Africa today.”
One of Tinubu’s childhood friends, Professor Shaffideen Amuwo, reflected on their early years and attributed Tinubu’s rise to divine providence.
For his 73rd birthday, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to leading Nigeria toward stability and growth, thanking those who stood by him during difficult times.
The event was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and his wife, principal officers of the National Assembly, governors, diplomats, business leaders, religious figures, and Tinubu’s childhood friends.
The Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, led prayers for the President and the nation.
