ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has shared a personal reflection on his political journey, revealing that he nearly dropped out of the 2023 presidential race due to moments of doubt and challenges during the campaign.
Tinubu made the revelation at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Presidential Villa on Saturday, March 29, 2025, where he expressed his gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians as he marked his 73rd birthday.
In his remarks, the President recalled a moment of hesitation during the election campaign when a close relative visited him in the early hours of the morning, questioning his decision to run for office.
“Those close to me know that the odds were against me,” Tinubu said.
“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?’”
Despite this encounter, Tinubu remained resolute in his pursuit of the presidency, offering his relative the requested N50,000 while affirming his commitment to the race.
“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,'” he recalled.
Tinubu went on to describe how his uncle later called to confirm receiving the money but admitted to keeping part of it.
Despite feeling disheartened, Tinubu credited key supporters like former Governor Aminu Masari, who encouraged him not to give up.
“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back,’” he said.
Reflecting on his presidency, Tinubu noted that he assumed office at a time of significant economic challenges.
He recalled the difficult decision he made to remove the fuel subsidy shortly after his inauguration.
“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 explained.
“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 praised Tinubu’s bold leadership, emphasizing that his decisions would shape Nigeria’s future.
“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations,” Shettima said, highlighting the President’s efforts to tackle long-standing issues like the fuel subsidy and unstable foreign exchange markets.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also commended Tinubu for his ability to forgive and for his unwavering commitment to national development.
“You are the most audacious president in Nigeria’s history,” Akpabio said, noting that under Tinubu’s leadership, governors were receiving more allocation.
Other political figures, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, praised Tinubu’s leadership in stabilizing the country during a tumultuous time.
Kalu described the President as a leader who broke barriers, while Uzodinma commended his decisive actions in the face of national challenges.
Dr. Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, shared his personal experience of being appointed by Tinubu despite his past activism.
“I had never met the President before, but after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I am giving you an opportunity to serve,’” Tijjani recalled.
As the evening continued, childhood friend and close confidant of the President, Prof. Shaffideen Amuwo, reflected on their early years together in Chicago.
“Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria,” Amuwo said, expressing his continued prayers for Tinubu’s success in guiding the nation.
