President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his independence and commitment to Nigeria's future, assuring the public that his administration is free from undue influence. Speaking on Thursday at the State House in Abuja to a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, Tinubu addressed concerns about potential manipulation by special interest groups in his ongoing economic reforms.
"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.
He further stressed the importance of integrity, saying, "One of the most potent elements of defense is a good conscience. It is also a defense against corruption. What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and what it takes to be a responsible citizen."
Addressing recent protests, Tinubu warned against actions fueled by anger and hate, which he said could lead to violence and hinder national progress. "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," he explained.
He highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians, including student loans for school fees, monetary support for education, consumer credit for purchasing cars and houses, and a significant increase in the minimum wage. "The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children. The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually. We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 percent," Tinubu announced.
Tinubu criticized those he called the "sponsors of protests," accusing them of placing selfish ambitions above the national interest. "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," he stated.
Urging caution and unity, Tinubu concluded, "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."
