I rejected ExxonMobil Director of Finance position to serve Nigeria – Tinubu
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said his desire to “fight for Nigeria” made him reject the opportunity to become the Director of Finance at ExxonMobil.
Tinubu was speaking at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Thursday, during his visit to Ekiti state, in continuation of his nationwide consultation towards contesting for the 2023 presidency.
The former Lagos state governor, said all must be done to ensure democracy must not fail in Nigeria.
“I was with MKO Abiola in Social Democratic Party. I was a Senator before he came out. I was the youngest Senator of that era. I was about becoming Director of Finance of ExxonMobil, but I rejected it.
“I said I wanted to serve Nigeria. They gave me leave of absence to go and do politics for four years and come back, but I only spent two years as a senator when the military came and terminated our tenure. I had an option, which was to go back and enjoy at ExxonMobil, but I decided that I would fight for Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
“We believed that there must be democracy in Nigeria, there must be freedom and there must be opportunities. We joined hands with Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Anthony Enahoro and others. Governor Kayode Fayemi was in the University of London then, brilliant and he joined the struggle. He worked so hard, in fact, he is an excellent man. So, looking at all these, we should all know that this democracy must not fail.”
On his plans for Nigeria as president, Tinubu said his achievements as Lagos governor were pointers to what he could do if given the opportunity to rule the country.
“I’m contesting this race to renew the hope and make the future great for our children. For Nigeria to stand united and develop, we require patience and wisdom. We have to be united, that is the only way we can be great.
“We have struggled for democracy and today, we have democracy, but we are not stable yet. There is insecurity, hopelessness, lack of education and suffering in the land. By now, we should have a good farming system and opportunities to produce for other nations to buy.
“We are here to answer the call of our children by educating them the right way so that we can leave a Nigeria that is united, prosperous and abundant for them. We chose democracy and we must not fail in this task.
“That was why we formed the APC based on principles. I want to tell you that Nigeria needs serious change. I knew how Lagos was when I took over and we have never failed any election. There must be continuity in governance for progress to be attained.
“I was the first governor in Nigeria to start paying the WAEC fee of secondary school students. I shall do it again as a President,” Tinubu added.
Ewi of Ado Ekiti, in his response, said with all Tinubu had done in Lagos, he believed him that he would turn Nigeria around for good.
