President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that no amount of pressure or intimidation from opposition figures would force him to abandon his duties, as he reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s economy and governance.
The President made the statement at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a political mobilization group set up to promote his administration’s policies across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu spoke firmly about the challenges he has faced from the time he contested for office to his current position as President. He insisted that he would not be discouraged by criticism or political opposition.
“They want to scare me off? It’s a lie,” Tinubu said. “I have been through this path before, and if I have to go through it again, I will do the same thing.”
He stressed that his focus remains on delivering results for Nigerians, despite what he described as pressure from critics. According to him, the responsibility of building the country rests with its citizens and leaders, and he is determined to play his part.
“There is no better place than your own country, and no one can build it except you,” he added.
The meeting with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors comes at a time when the administration is facing criticism from opposition parties and some civil society groups over the impact of its economic reforms. Many Nigerians have complained about rising costs of living, inflation, and the effects of policy changes such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments.
Some critics have even called for the President’s resignation, arguing that the reforms have brought hardship to ordinary citizens. However, Tinubu has continued to defend his policies, describing them as necessary steps to fix long-standing problems in the economy.
Speaking to the ambassadors, Tinubu said he had made a promise to Nigerians and would not back down from fulfilling it.
“Whatever you say I do, but one thing you need from me is a promise that I will not run away from this fight. With you, the deal is done,” he said.
He also used the opportunity to reflect on his political journey, noting that his rise to power was not easy. According to him, both the party primaries and the general election were challenging, but he remained focused and determined.
“During the primaries that got me here, it was tough. During the election, it was tough. Now that I am here, all I can promise is that I will not give up,” he said.
Tinubu also addressed comments about his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a partner rather than a political opponent. He suggested that his administration is a continuation of efforts started under Buhari, even as he seeks to correct what he sees as shortcomings.
“I did not have to look back, because the truth is, I took over from myself. Buhari is me. He was a partner,” Tinubu said.
“If something is wrong, we will correct it and move on,” he added.
The President also called on Nigerians to respect the rule of law and uphold democratic principles. He emphasised the importance of obeying court orders and maintaining trust in the judiciary, even when decisions do not favour individuals or groups.
“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of a court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not,” he said.
He further stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions, including the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government.
“We must understand the dynamics of democracy and build one united country,” Tinubu stated.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors, who attended the meeting, were drawn from different geopolitical zones of the country. The group was inaugurated earlier this year as part of efforts to mobilise grassroots support for the administration’s policies and programmes.
At the inauguration held on February 24 in Abuja, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, explained that the initiative was designed to create strong support networks at the state and local government levels. He said the ambassadors would help communicate government policies and prepare the ground for future political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Thursday’s meeting served as a follow-up session, where leaders and coordinators of the group met with the President to share updates and receive further direction.
Tinubu said he was encouraged by their reports and expressed appreciation for their efforts.
“I am inspired, I am ready. I am grateful to all of you,” he told them.
Other top government and party officials present at the meeting included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, among others.
Nigeria has faced several economic difficulties in recent years, including high inflation, currency instability, and rising unemployment. The current administration has introduced reforms aimed at addressing these issues, but the short-term effects have led to increased hardship for many citizens.
Despite this, the government insists that the reforms are already beginning to show positive results and will lead to long-term benefits for the country.
Tinubu’s comments also highlight the political climate as the country gradually moves toward the next election cycle. With opposition voices becoming more active, the President appears keen to show that he remains in control and focused on his agenda.
As Nigerians continue to feel the impact of economic reforms, the coming months are likely to test both the government’s policies and its ability to maintain public trust.