President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has dismissed concerns over the influence of special interest groups in the ongoing economic reforms, stating that his campaign was self-sponsored and free from obligations to any individual or institution.
During a meeting with Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau at the State House on Thursday, Tinubu emphasized that his election victory was due to “divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in garnering support from Nigerians.”
“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,” Tinubu declared.
Highlighting his administration’s commitment to social welfare, Tinubu noted that the government is “reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level” to better support the poor and vulnerable. He also mentioned initiatives like student loans, monetary support for education, consumer credit for purchasing cars and houses, and a significant increase in the minimum wage.
Addressing the planned nationwide protests against economic hardships, Tinubu warned that such demonstrations, if fueled by anger and hate, could lead to violence and set the country back. He criticized the protest organizers, accusing them of prioritizing selfish ambitions over national interest and lacking true love for Nigeria.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Sheikh Bala Lau, representing the delegation of Islamic leaders, assured the President of their support through prayers and increased sensitization efforts. He emphasized the importance of peace and guidance, referencing Abraham’s plea for peace.
Traditional rulers present at the meeting also called for calm and patience. The Dein of Agbor, HRM Benjamin Keagborekuzi, urged young people to avoid destroying the country through protests, while the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, conveyed the leaders’ concerns and called for patience and wisdom.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, highlighted the role of traditional rulers in maintaining law and order and warned against the protests being hijacked by criminal elements. He stressed the importance of unity and collective strength for the nation.
As the Tinubu administration faces severe criticism over its policies, it continues efforts to address economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have significantly increased the cost of living. Despite measures like a new minimum wage and distribution of palliatives, many argue that the administration’s efforts have yet to effectively address the ongoing economic hardship.
Security agencies have warned that the planned protests, scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024, could be hijacked by criminal elements, potentially leading to violence similar to the EndSARS protests of 2020. While some groups have withdrawn from the demonstration, proponents maintain that citizens have the right to protest perceived government mistreatment.
