President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he once considered withdrawing from the 2023 presidential race due to concerns over the country’s economic struggles.
Speaking during a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Tinubu recounted a late-night conversation with a relative who questioned his decision to run, citing the hardships Nigerians faced, including a severe cash shortage.
“During the campaigns, one of my relatives 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?’
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“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 recalled.
Despite these doubts, Tinubu remained resolute, emphasizing that leadership requires tough decisions. He cited his immediate removal of the fuel subsidy on his inauguration day as one such necessary but controversial choice.
Vice President Kashim Shettima commended Tinubu’s courage in confronting national challenges, stating that his bold actions would set a precedent for future leaders to address long standing issues without fear.
