President Bola Tinubu has recalled an incident during the 2023 presidential campaign when a request for ₦50,000 nearly made him reconsider his decision to contest the election.
Tinubu made the revelation in a video while reflecting on his political journey and the challenges he faced before emerging as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and eventually winning the 2023 election.
The President said an acquaintance visited him at about 3:30 a.m. during the campaign and asked for ₦50,000 to buy food for his family.
According to Tinubu, the visitor complained about the severe cash shortage at the time, blaming the situation on his presidential ambition. He said the man questioned why he was seeking the presidency when ordinary Nigerians were struggling to access money from banks.
Tinubu recalled the visitor saying that people were rushing banks and jumping queues because of the scarcity of naira notes, while his wealthy uncle reportedly did not even have ₦10,000 available.
The President said he explained that his ambition was to become president of Nigeria and was not motivated by personal or family interests.
He gave the man the requested ₦50,000, but the visitor reportedly expressed doubt about Tinubu’s chances of winning the election before leaving.
“I don’t think you’ll make it,” the visitor told him.
Tinubu said he responded confidently that he would win and jokingly told the man that he would come back to ask for a job if he eventually succeeded.
However, the President admitted that the encounter affected him deeply and briefly made him consider abandoning the presidential race.
“I was amazed. I almost dropped the idea of running, of continuing the race,” Tinubu said.
He explained that the encouragement he received from political associates helped restore his confidence.
Tinubu specifically mentioned Ibrahim Masari and a group of supporters from the Northwest who encouraged him to remain focused and not abandon his ambition.
He recalled Masari telling him: “Don’t look back. We know you, and Nigerians know you.”
Tinubu said the words gave him the encouragement he needed to continue with the campaign.
The President also attributed his eventual victory to the grace of God, expressing gratitude for the support he received throughout his political journey.
He said Nigeria remained a great nation and thanked Nigerians and his supporters for standing by him.
Tinubu said his political success would not have been possible without what he described as the blessing and grace of God.
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