President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he was persuaded not to withdraw from the presidential race by his former placeholder, Aminu Masari, and others.
Tinubu shared this during a special Iftar event in his honor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as stated by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu also mentioned the challenging journey he faced in becoming president.
According to Tinubu: “Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 am 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.’
“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’”.
He admitted assuming office amid economic uncertainty and had to make immediate, difficult decisions, including removing the fuel subsidy.
“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 said.
