By Folayimika Akanbi
President Bola Tinubu has dismissed threats from the opposition figures over his re-election bid in 2027 general elections, declaring that he cannot be intimidated.
Apparently referencing the criticisms that trailed his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu vowed to repeat the same exercise if he were opportune to lead the country for another term.
He said this when he received in audience Governor Hope Uzodinma-led delegation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga made this known in a statement issued in Abuja
Wind Gate News reports that the economic reforms of the federal government had elicited criticisms from Nigerians, who lamented the attendant nationwide hardships.
Addressing the delegation with Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and others, Tinubu insisted that he won’t back down on the reforms his administration had undertaken.
“They (opposition figures) want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I’ve been through this path before. And if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing. There is no better place than your own country. And no one can build it except you. We saw great things, skyscrapers. We wonder how the plane takes off and flies us from one destination to another. There was no magic of yesterday. It is the thinker of tomorrow and the future that can elevate life, that can reform us all.
“And being the transformative leaders that you are, you are in good company. Don’t be afraid. I’ve listened to you. I didn’t have to look back on the economy because the truth is, I took over from myself. The late Buhari was me. He was my partner. And if I took over from him. Is that not from me? So, if something is wrong, fine. Live with it, correct it, move on. The life voyage is not going to be easy. I can only stand before you and say you will not regret it. That is why we ask you to renew their hope. If they don’t want to see the hope and the roads and bridges, and the children we raise, the economy we are growing, we shall lend them Jigi-Bola, eyeglasses. One thing that you need from me is a promise that I won’t run away from the affair. With you, the deal is done”, he said.
Turning to the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu promised to be their greatest champion.
He said, “We act as one family. You represent a conscience, a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and hopelessness. You are in a good company. That’s all I can say. And all I can promise is I won’t give up.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation, assuring that the well-being of Nigerians remains his top priority.
He stated that the political and economic structures that have long undermined Nigerians’ prosperity are being steadily replaced through the realignment of the economy to enable full participation.
Tinubu pledged to sustain reforms aimed at creating more opportunities for poor and vulnerable citizens.
He emphasised that the more citizens participate in shaping their lives and future, the better society will be for generations to come.
Tinubu urged the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to continue sensitising and mobilising citizens, especially at the grassroots, on the government’s efforts to improve their livelihoods through economic reforms.
“You represent the conscience of a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty and hopelessness,’’ he said.
Tinubu assured that the administration will uphold the tenets of democracy, including the rule of law, the separation of powers and the rights of all citizens.
“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court; we must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not. We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers, and understanding of the dynamics of it, and the nationhood that Nigeria is, that we must build one country. That’s what Renewed Hope is all about. You must give them that hope.
“There’s no other path for us to attain national greatness other than to build one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people. That is what we must do,’’ he added.
The President reiterated that a clear vision is guiding his government to foster inclusive growth, create opportunities for youth, and ensure that every Nigerian—regardless of background or region—has a stake in the country’s future.
He encouraged citizens not to be discouraged by the misinformation championed by the opposition elements in the country.
Tinubu said the great accomplishments witnessed in modern times were achieved through visionary leadership, assuring that Nigeria is in safe hands.
Earlier, the Director–General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA)and Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, said they were at the State House to update the President on the progress made so far.
“Our purpose in coming is to brief Mr President on how far we have gone with this national assignment, to present the substance of the work already done, and to reaffirm that the structure you graciously created is not only alive but active, coordinated, and already creating measurable political and civic dividends across the nation.
“At the regional level, activities have begun in earnest. All the structures of all the local governments have been inaugurated, as in the electoral wards.
“We have kick – started the process of enumeration up to the polling unit level. We are continuously harvesting data during enrolment, taking the messages to the markets, schools and professional groups, women’s platforms and faith-based and grassroots political structures,” Uzodinma said.
He lauded President Tinubu for his purposeful leadership and assured him of their loyalty and commitment to the success of the assignment.
The North-West Zonal Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, commended the courage and political sagacity of the President, describing him as a dogged reformer despite the teething difficulties being experienced.
“We know very well that reformers are always finding it extremely difficult at the beginning. More especially, if you are reforming in a society that is very difficult to understand, and some are willing to make people not understand,” Masari said.
Masari commended the President for taking hard but necessary reforms that leaders before him could not, saying that Nigeria has become better for it.
He assured the President that most political heavyweights in the North-West Geo-Political Zone are solidly behind the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the struggle for a better Nigeria is for all to undertake.
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