President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said he was not looking back over the state of the economy he inherited, noting that since former President Muhammadu Buhari was his partner, he (Tinubu) took over from himself.
Tinubu stated this when he hosted the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a group set up to communicate his administration’s agenda and reforms to all parts of the country.
He said, “I’ve listened to you. There is the economy. I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself.
“The late (Muhammadu) Buhari is me; he was a partner. 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, and so many of you are traveling with me. I can only stand before you and say you will not regret it.
“That’s why we ask you to renew their hope. If they don’t want to, we will let them see the hope and the roads with the bridges and the children we raise and the economy we are growing. We lend them ‘jiggy bola.’ We will give them eyeglasses.
“I can assure you, whatever you say I do, but one thing that you need from me is a promise that I won’t run away from you.” With you, the deal is done. No other thing, whatever we need to do, coordinate from the ward level.”
According to the president, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors belong to one family and represent the conscience of a nation “that wants to break the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and hopelessness.
“You are in good company. That’s all I can say, and all I can promise is that I won’t give up.
“During the primary that got me here, it was tough. During the election, it was tough.”
Tinubu also asked the opposition to follow democratic values and obey the courts.
He dared the opposition political groups, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying he would not be intimidated by their conspiracy.
The president stated that despite the supposed gang-up against him, he will not give up.
Making veiled reference to Atiku, Tinubu said, “The head was the chairman of the Privatization Council of Nigeria in this country. One time, he privatized the steel industry in Delta. Is it working today? No.
“Once they privatized Ajaokuta, is it working today? They privatized another man’s political party. Your job is done. Just let’s go to the depths, the research of the details and what we promised Nigerians, and I promise I won’t let you down.”
