President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has made it clear that his administration is free from any controlling cabal. During a meeting with Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized his independence and financial self-sufficiency in his political journey.
Tinubu firmly stated, “I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.”
Recounting the challenges he faced during his campaign, Tinubu highlighted how he relied on his personal resources and faith to secure victory, despite financial institutions being unavailable. He believes that his presidency is a result of divine intervention.
He went on to stress the importance of integrity and a clear conscience as essential defenses against corruption. He highlighted the need for Nigeria’s future generations to learn the values of good and responsible citizenship.
Addressing concerns over planned nationwide protests, Tinubu called for calm and urged organizers to reconsider. He warned that protests fueled by anger and hate could lead to violence and hinder the country’s progress. Instead, he assured that his government is dedicated to addressing the needs of Nigerians through improved social welfare schemes.
“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable,” Tinubu announced.
Further elaborating on his administration’s plans, Tinubu spoke about providing student loans for education and consumer credit for citizens to purchase cars and houses, with repayment options that ease financial burdens. He also mentioned a significant increase in the minimum wage by over 100%.
Tinubu accused the protest organizers of putting personal ambitions above the nation’s interests. He expressed concern over their lack of commitment to Nigeria, suggesting they have alternative allegiances and do not genuinely understand or care for the nation’s well-being.
“The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports. They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually. We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger,” he said.
