President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms, saying his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution.
The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians.
“I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.
“One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption.
“What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and what it takes to be a responsible citizen,’’ the President stated.
President Tinubu said protests, fuelled by anger and hate, could degenerate into violence and set the country backwards.
“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards, again, so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable.
“The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children. The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually.
“We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 per cent,’’ the President said.
President Tinubu said the sponsors of protests place their selfish ambitions above the national interest.
“The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports.
“They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.
“We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger.
“The internet has made it possible to hold meetings in artificial settings. They hold meetings and sponsor anger,’’ the President told the religious leaders.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Bala Lau, assured the President of support with prayers and more sensitization.
“Peace is paramount for us in the country. The first thing Abraham asked God for was peace and guidance,’’ Sheikh Lau noted.
*Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity).
