President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he almost quit the 2023 presidential race because of the challenges he faced.
However, the former governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, convinced him to continue, assuring him of strong support from the North West region.
Speaking at a special Iftar dinner at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their support and birthday wishes.
He also reflected on the struggles he encountered during his campaign.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu shared a moment when a close relative blamed him for the cash shortage in the country at the time.
This relative told him that people were struggling to get money, even for basic needs, and questioned why he was running for president.
Tinubu recounted, “One night, around 3:30 a.m., a family member visited me and said he needed just N50,000 to buy food. He blamed me for the cash scarcity and told me that even our wealthy uncle could not get N10,000. He then said, ‘What are you running for?'”
Tinubu admitted that this conversation made him doubt his decision to run. However, Aminu Masari and other supporters reassured him and encouraged him to stay in the race.
The President also reflected on the tough decisions he had to make upon taking office, including the removal of fuel subsidies.
He acknowledged that this decision was not part of his original inauguration speech but believed it was necessary for Nigeria’s economic stability.
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying his bold decisions would benefit future Nigerian presidents.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also commended Tinubu for his resilience and ability to make difficult choices.
Other leaders at the event, including Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijjani, shared their admiration for Tinubu’s leadership and his willingness to make sacrifices for the country’s progress.