‘I nearly quit 2023 presidential race’ -says Tinubu at special Iftar
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he nearly abandoned his 2023 presidential bid after facing personal and political challenges.
Speaking at a special Iftar held in his honor at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during the campaign when a close relative questioned his pursuit of the presidency amid economic hardship.
However, he credited former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari and other supporters for encouraging him to stay in the race.
The President also addressed the bold decisions he made upon assuming office, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy.
He acknowledged that the decision was not originally part of his inauguration speech but was necessary to steer Nigeria away from economic collapse.
“The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time,” he stated, adding that despite facing heavy criticism, he remained firm in his resolve.
Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s courage, stating that his leadership has tackled longstanding national challenges.
“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy,” Shettima said.
