President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that he would neither be distracted nor intimidated by opposition political parties ahead of the forthcoming 2027 presidential race.
Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday at a meeting with the national, zonal, and state leaderships of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors held at the State House.
He said: “They want to scare me off. It’s a lie. I’ve been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over again, I’ll do the same thing.”
In a veiled reference to the leadership tussle rocking the African Democratic Congress, which leading figures of the opposition party have fingered the Presidency as the mastermind, President Tinubu, who restated his commitment to democratic principles, urged every democrat to show respect for the rule of law, the judiciary, and the unity of the country.
“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of a court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not. That is the principle of democracy and separation of powers.”
ALSO READ: Presidency slams Atiku’s TV interview, says 2027 bid ‘dead on arrival’
Describing the Renewed Hope agenda as a national mission to “break the shackles of poverty, ignorance and hopelessness,” he appealed to the gathering of governors and members of the All Progressives Congress National Working Committee to take the message of reforms to every corner of the country.
While he acknowledged the pains of his ongoing policy reforms, he expressed confidence that, ultimately, they would yield lasting prosperity.
“All I can promise is that I won’t give up. Life’s voyage is not going to be easy, but you will not regret travelling this path with me.”
He further appealed to Nigerians not to lose faith in the country and in the capacity of his leadership to deliver on its promises, despite the enormity of the present challenges.
He maintained that Nigeria’s progress depends on a shared vision.
“There is no better place than your own country, and no one can build it except you. We must build one nation, one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people.”
Earlier in his remarks, Imo State Governor and Director-General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the movement had been energised by the President’s endorsement and direction.
The Imo State Governor, who described members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors as “envoys” of the President, urged them to continue what he called “political evangelism” by deepening support for President Tinubu and the APC at the grassroots.
He specifically listed market leaders, youth groups, faith-based organisations, and other community platforms as their target audience.
“The success of his policies is our success. We must preach the benefits of these reforms in a unified and disciplined manner to the last man on the street.”
In his presentation, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, commended President Tinubu’s landmark achievements in the provision of social infrastructure and energy projects across the country.
“As a party, we will stand by you and support anything that will provide good governance for Nigerians.”