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| President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
President Bola Tinubu has shared a personal account of a moment during the 2023 presidential campaign when doubts nearly led him to abandon the race. The remarks came during a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in late March 2025, as he reflected on his political journey and expressed gratitude to supporters and to God.
Tinubu described how the severe cash scarcity linked to the naira redesign policy created intense pressure. According to his recollection, a close acquaintance visited his residence around 3:30 a.m. and requested ₦50,000 to take to their uncle, citing a lack of foodstuff. The visitor pointed to the widespread difficulty in accessing cash, people struggling at banks, and even a wealthy relative having little cash on hand. The visitor questioned why Tinubu was pursuing the presidency under those conditions.
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Tinubu said he replied that he was running for the presidency itself, not for personal or family reasons. He provided the requested ₦50,000. As the visitor left, he reportedly told Tinubu he did not believe he would succeed. Tinubu responded that he would, adding a remark about a future job request.
Tinubu later learned that only part of the money (₦10,000) reached the uncle. He admitted the episode briefly shook his confidence: “I was amazed. I almost dropped the idea of running, of continuing the race.”
He credited encouragement from political allies, particularly Aminu Masari (who led a Northwest support group), for restoring his resolve. Masari and others urged him not to look back, assuring him of their knowledge of him and of broader Nigerian recognition. Tinubu described that support as the “tonic” he needed.
In the same remarks, the President acknowledged the role of divine grace in his eventual success and expressed deep gratitude to Nigerians and to God, noting that Nigeria is a great nation.
Context note:
The anecdote sits against the backdrop of the 2022–2023 naira redesign, which led to widespread cash shortages in the run-up to the elections. Tinubu’s account illustrates the personal and political pressures candidates faced amid economic hardship. He has also spoken in the same period about other difficult decisions taken after assuming office, including fuel subsidy removal.
Closing:
The story underscores themes of persistence, the importance of support networks, and resilience in the face of public and private doubt during a high-stakes campaign.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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