By Adesakin Adefemi
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday told opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir el-Rufai, that he cannot be scared by their alleged conspiracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking when he hosted the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja, the President said despite the gang-up against him under the African Democratic Congress platform, he will not give up. He urged the opposition to surrender to the principles of democracy and obey the judiciary.
“I’m grateful to all of you. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance, to put freedom in the hearts of our people, to ensure democracy survives, not the noise-making, not the rascality of a street convention,” Tinubu told the group set up to communicate his administration’s agenda and reforms nationwide.
The President stressed that the judiciary must be embraced regardless of its decisions. “We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not,” he said.
Tinubu maintained that national greatness requires unity of purpose. “We submit to the principles of democracy, separation of powers, and the understanding of its dynamics and the nationhood that Nigeria is. We must build one country,” he said. He added that Renewed Hope is about a common vision for progress and prosperity.
Addressing the Renewed Hope Ambassadors directly, the President charged them to give Nigerians hope and build a Nigeria of integrity. “You must give them that hope, but try as much as possible, men and women of integrity who are here in this room, to build a Nigeria,” he said.
On the opposition alliance, Tinubu dismissed claims of being pressured. “They want to scare me off, it is a lie. I’ve been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing,” he stated. He added that no one can build Nigeria except Nigerians and urged transformative leadership.
Speaking on the economy, the President said he met challenges on assumption of office but chose to confront them head-on. “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 myself? So, if something is wrong, fine, live with it, correct it, move on,” he said.
Tinubu assured the ambassadors of his commitment, promising not to abandon them. “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,” he said. He urged them to coordinate from the ward level and showcase government achievements to the public.
