NewStats: 3,259,280 , 8,169,722 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 04:00 PM 35644e

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he nearly abandoned his 2023 presidential ambition following a moment of doubt during the election campaign.

“I almost dropped the idea of running for President,” Tinubu revealed on Saturday night at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he also thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming goodwill and prayers on his 73rd birthday.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the excerpts of the President’s dpeech in a statement signed in the early hours of Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu appreciates Nigerians for birthday well wishes, reveals he nearly quit 2023 presidential race.’

Reflecting on the pressures he faced, the President recounted how a close relative visited him in the middle of the night and questioned his resolve.

“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 added, “I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me.

“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back.”

In his address, the President recognised the difficulties encountered along the path to the presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.

Tinubu also noted that he assumed office during a period of economic challenges and had to make swift decisions, including scrapping the fuel subsidy 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,” said Tinubu.

Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the President’s leadership style, saying his decisions have tackled issues that haunted previous istrations.

He said, “Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past istrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.

“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it.

“And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face. But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded the President’s “relentless ion for national development” and described him as the “most audacious president” in Nigeria’s history.

“If I were a governor under your istration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he remarked, adding that under Tinubu’s watch, governors receive more allocation.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu also commended the President for ing him politically in 2019, even though they were from different regions.

“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he ed me in my most difficult political moment. Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” said Kalu.

Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State praised Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” amid national uncertainties, stating that only a leader with “deep conviction and love for the country” could take the necessary but often difficult steps.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijjani, who spoke on behalf of cabinet , recounted his appointment under the President despite prior activism.

He added that a senior World Bank official had recently described Tinubu as “the best reformist leader in Africa today.”

One of the President’s childhood friends, Professor Shaffideen Amuwo, recalled their early years, attributing Tinubu’s rise to divine providence.

Amuwo said, “Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children. While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak.

“Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria.

“The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth. I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country.”

For his 73rd birthday, Tinubu thanked guests and ers who have stood by him through periods of doubt and adversity, reaffirming his resolve to steer Nigeria toward stability and growth.

Saturday night’s event was attended by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana; of the Federal Executive Council; principal officers of the National Assembly; current and former governors; diplomats; business leaders; religious figures; and several of the President’s childhood friends.

The Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, led prayers seeking divine guidance for the President and the nation.

https://punchng.com/i-nearly-withdrew-from-2023-presidential-race-tinubu/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJVxHlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZ34BAY767mzkGxEd_g3lOU5GWOx3byFowKhXJUzIYTmVsCsShhVQ3RBgA_aem_Jp9aal3OOn0G1EC8t9yZKg

You nearly ke? Loool it’s a trap. You will setup of life this time around. 😂 Nigeria is happening to thiefnubbuuu too.

Nigerians would not have been in this mess if you did. Failure of a president

You never had a thought of even withdrawing olodo distster of a president

You that was shouting "grab it, steal it and run away with it"?
Abeg talk another thing

I would believe if u said u were overwhelmed but I doubt u had the intentions of withdrawing from the presidential race

See this one.. Even when Osibanjo was there that needed his backing,he said it's his turn.

See where his turn has turned the country now..

Decidetolive:
Nigerians would not have been in this mess if you did. Failure of a president

we will still be in this mess in the future cos the country was running on borrowed funds.

He could have saved the country from all these avoidable hardship and poverty

Story, believe this lying machine you'll believe anything

Long live our darling president Tinubu. May your reign transform Nigeria for the best.

Decidetolive:
Nigerians would not have been in this mess if you did. Failure of a president

Cry me a river.....


Nobody will ever make Nigeria greater the way Tinubu is doing...

Hate him or like him..... He remains the best.

richmond500:
we will still be in this mess in the future cos the country was running on borrowed funds.

Nigeria needs a prudent president and not a wasteful and corrupt entity like Tinubu

Lols... Beer parlor jokes.

I sometimes wonder what the politicians perceive as the bigger nonentities, the people or the animals on their fields.

Decidetolive:
An idiot is better than you.

The mods should do the needful.....

Coz I was banned from comments like this...

richmond500:
we will still be in this mess in the future cos the country was running on borrowed funds.

That has been the unproven narrative of this current government. They’ve come up with policies that has impoverished the country beyond anyones imagination. Food, fuel, education, travel and basic necessities have become luxuries. Even pure water is not affordable to so many now.

They build roads so they’ll be seen to be working and commended. Meanwhile, people are starving and crime rate has gone up. Industrious that previously thrived have completely shut down causing more unemployment and more hardship.

Any government making policies should be comionate instead of ghoulish!

Nigeria would have been great if that happened

It could have been the best thing to happen to Nigeria that you being president.

Deceiving his gullible followers as usual. They will buy this, carry it and begin to pollute the cyberspace, atmosphere with this.


Believe what Tinubu and his g**ns says, you will believe anything.

Thanks to Obi and his Zombideints, they gave you that sit on a platter of gold. Divide the vote, and you smile to victory

🥱

A study in resilience. Opposed by the party chairman, opposed by his own protégé he had nominated as VP, opposed by the senate leadership who angled for the position, he got the ticket.

Opposed by the new-age church who was promoting a candidate who has not graced any of their events after they did not help him win; opposed by the mob who shouted Muslim-Muslim ticket, opposed by rudderless opposition who could not articulate their plans nor unify the opposition; opposed by a misguided CBN governor who decided to experiment with naira repainting; opposed by a media house notorious for blackmailing people; he was despised for contesting. They felt they had the right to determine who rules.

Sadly, the man who wanted the position the most worked the most and built the most bridges. The division in the opposition also played into his benefit.

After election, they blamed INEC Chairman, they said he rigged. How can someone rig elections and forget to rig in Lagos and the entire southwest?

Believe in what you do and put your all into it. Never be distracted with the opposition. That is something others can learn from.

It would have been the greatest decision of this century

Emilokan is my turn is now saying this?

Osinbanjo. Ameachi. Obi. Wud def have done better than u. But happy birthday. Honor to d office

Bro you should have withdrawn, you are a mistake.

Would have saved ur people from unnecessary suicides

Liar, after rigging all the electoral process.
Nobody in his right mind can vote a drug mule.

You of all people, emilokan,your desperation is unimaginable,this has ever been your lifetime dream.I will not fall for believing this comment

I had similar experience to back out from contesting for CDS Leader during my NYSC more than 10 years ago in Sokoto State. Sabon Bini Local Government.

I was to contest for the CNC under Road Safety CDS but fear took over me that I’m not going to win and I was thinking about withdrawing from the contest.

Then I saw a quotation from one book I was reading then about Courage and it was timely.

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win and trying when you know you can lose”

That simple quotation about courage was a game changer and I took it upon myself never to backdown.

I was surprised to win the election by good margin and ever since then I came to realization that, fear and self doubt are greatest enemies to human potential.

Joker

Devil pushed you to continue


Today Nigerians are dying for it

Anarchy looms

Government can't protect the citizens
The citizens have resolved to protect themselves anyhow they deem fit