Tinubu: I took bullet, hard punch to become president

President Bola Tinubu has narrated how he laboured to become Nigeria’s President.

He says he faced many challenges before achieving his ambition.

Tinubu disclosed this on Friday, when he received members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on a Sallah homage at his Lagos residence.

He thanked some governors who kicked off the journey with him, appreciating their patience and resilience.

I didn’t dodge the bullet. I took it. I got a punch in the chin. Very hard one.

“We stuck together the time I was faced with the challenge of trying to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It was very challenging. It was rough on the people who was with me. Some stayed faithful.

“I decided to go out and campaign. I told nobody what I was going to do. ‘Many of you took the risk and went ahead with me because of the party platform and everything,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu said the removal of fuel subsidy stopped Nigeria from going bankrupt and helped to put the country on the path to economic recovery.

Tinubu spoke when he hosted state governors who visited him to mark the Eid-el-Kabir festival and the third anniversary of his administration on Friday, it was reported.

Governors from Lagos, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba, Niger, Ekiti, Delta, Ondo, Edo, Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, Ogun and Kogi states were present at the meeting. The deputy governors of Borno and Kano were also in attendance.

The President, speaking at the gathering, said that the removal of subsidy had brought hardship to many Nigerians but insisted that the decision was necessary to save the country’s finances.

“It was hard at the time, but we got through it. We got sued. We got accused. We survived it. It is bankruptcy that Nigeria has survived. The economy has bounced back. It is on the rise. “Agriculture is booming,” Tinubu declared.

He said the country was starting to reap the benefits of reforms introduced in the past three years. The President cited ongoing infrastructure projects and opportunities in agriculture as signs of improvement.

Many of you have survived and encouraged the perseverance of many of our people, asking them to trust this government. “Thank you very much,” he told the governors.

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their patience in the face of the economic challenges that trailed the reforms. The difficult period is slowly giving way to positive results, he said.

Reforms in infrastructure, agriculture, social investment programmes, foreign exchange management and fiscal policies are helping rebuild investor confidence and improve economic prospects, he said.

The President commended state governors for supporting federal government policies and helping to ensure stability across the country.

I’m glad governors are not borrowing from the federal government and begging for interventions and not knowing how to survive, how to pay salaries. “You kept the spirit and you persuaded our people to be patient and to endure these three years of painful reform,” he said.

Tinubu said critical economic indicators have improved while road construction and rehabilitation projects across the country are ongoing.

“The economy has rebounded. Macroeconomic indicators are performing very well. “Roads and infrastructure are under construction, and abandoned projects have been rehabilitated,” he said.

He also expressed optimism on the future of the agricultural sector, saying Nigeria could achieve food security if available land resources are properly harnessed.

“The housing business is coming on very well. “Agriculture will prosper again. “If you use the land in your various states effectively, we will achieve food sovereignty,” the President said.

Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to implement policies aimed at reducing hardship, creating jobs, strengthening food production and promoting economic growth that benefits more citizens.