President Bola Tinubu on Thursday dismissed thoughts of giving up because of what he described as a political gang-up by opposition parties.
According to him, he disclosed that he would not be intimidated or deterred from pursuing his administration’s agenda.
The President, who spoke while hosting members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja, specifically referenced the African Democratic Congress, reiterating that the opposition efforts to unseat him would not succeed.
He advised opposition figures to respect democratic principles and submit to the authority of the judiciary.
“I’m grateful to all of you. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance, to put freedom in the hearts of our people, to ensure democracy survives, not the noise-making, not the rascality of a street convention,” he said.
Advising the opposition to obey court orders, Tinubu added: “We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not.
“We submit to the principles of democracy, separation of powers, and the understanding of its dynamics and the nationhood that Nigeria is. We must build one country.
“There’s no other way on the path that we embrace to national greatness than to build one nation, one common vision for progress and prosperity of our people. That’s what we must do. That’s what Renewed Hope is all about.”
The President also charged members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to sustain efforts at promoting his administration’s policies and inspiring confidence among Nigerians.
“You must give them that hope, but try as much as possible, men and women of integrity who are here in this room, to build a Nigeria,” he said.
Dismissing fears over the opposition’s coalition, Tinubu maintained that he remained resolute.
“They want to scare me off, it is a lie. I’ve been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing.
“There is no better place than your own country, and no one can build it except you. We saw great things because we see skyscrapers. We wonder how the plane takes off and flies from one destination to the other. These are no magic of yesterday.
“It is the thinker of tomorrow and the future that can elevate life, that can reform us all. As a transformative leader, you are in good company. Don’t be afraid.”
On the economy, Tinubu acknowledged challenges but said his administration was committed to addressing them, noting continuity with the immediate past government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I’ve listened to you. There is the economy. I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself. The late (Muhammadu) Buhari is me, he was a partner. If I took over from him, is that not from myself?
“So, if something is wrong, fine, live with it, correct it, move on. The life voyage is not going to be easy, and so many of you are traveling with me. I can only stand before you and say you will not regret it.
“That’s why we ask you to renew their hope. If they don’t want to, we will let them see the hope and the roads with the bridges and the children we raise, and the economy we are growing. We lend them ‘jiggy bola’. We will give them eyeglasses.
“I can assure you, whatever you say I do, but one thing that you need from me is a promise that I won’t run away from you. With you, the deal is done. No other thing, whatever we need to do, coordinate from the ward level.”
Reaffirming his commitment, the President told the group: “You are in good company. That’s all I can say, and all I can promise is that I won’t give up.
“During the primary that got me here, it was tough. During the election, it was tough.”
In a veiled reference to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu criticised past privatisation efforts.
“The head was the chairman of the Privatisation Council of Nigeria in this country. One time, he privatised the steel industry in Delta. Is it working today? No. Once they privatised Ajaokuta, is it working today? They privatised another man’s political party. Your job is done. Just let’s go to the depths, the research of the details and what we promised Nigerians, and I promise I won’t let you down.”