Opposition can’t scare me off, Tinubu insists
• ‘We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of court’ Opposition elements ganging up to derail ongoing reforms by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration got it all
• ‘We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of court’
Opposition elements ganging up to derail ongoing reforms by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration got it all wrong, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.
The President declared that attempts by such elements to intimidate and distract him from his reform agenda would fail.
According to him, he remains resolute in his vision to lift Nigerians out of poverty and get the economy on steady course.
He spoke at a meeting with the national, zonal and state leaderships of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House, Abuja.
Assuring that no amount of criticism would derail him, the President 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.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, stressing the need for 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,” he added.
The President, who described the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) as a national mission to “break the shackles of poverty, ignorance and hopelessness,” urged the coordinators to take the message of reforms to every corner of the country.
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He charged them to remain courageous and committed, assuring them that the journey of reform, though difficult, 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 said.
Tinubu also emphasised the importance of unity and collective responsibility in nation-building, noting that Nigeria’s progress depends on a shared vision.
He said: “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.”
Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is Director–General/National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the movement had been energised by the President’s endorsement and direction.
He described members as “envoys” of the President, tasked with taking the message of reforms to the grassroots through what he termed “political evangelism.”
The governor urged the ambassadors to engage Nigerians across markets, youth groups, faith-based organisations and other community platforms, explaining that while reforms may come with initial discomfort, they ultimately deliver sustainable solutions.
“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,” he said.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda commended the President’s leadership, citing ongoing infrastructure and projects being provided across the country as evidence of a clear pathway to economic transformation.
He said projects, such as major road network, gas pipelines and power initiatives were laying the foundation for a trillion-dollar economy, pledging that the party would continue to support the administration.
Yilwatda said: “As a party, we will stand by you and support anything that will provide good governance for Nigerians,” he said.
He called for synergy between the APC structure and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors ahead of future elections.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who is Deputy Director-General of the movement, stressed the need for improved communication of government achievements, noting that many successes of the administration were not being effectively conveyed to the public.
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who serves as Secretary of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, called for stronger coordination between state governments and the movement, describing governors as “foot soldiers” ready to drive the President’s agenda at the grassroots.
The event was attended by incumbent and past governors as well as serving and former National Assembly members.
They include: Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; former governors Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa); Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); and Aminu Masari (Katsina) among others.
