…Says, he has no cabal to compensate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the sponsors and organisers of the planned protests have alternative passports who place their selfish ambitions above national interest.
This was as he said that his presidential campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution, adding that his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians.
Tinubu, who stated these when he received in audience a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, allayed fears of any form of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms in the country.
The President also said that the sponsors of protests do not love the country and have no love for the nation just as they do not understand citizenship but, are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.
According to Tinubu; “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,” he said.
The President also said; “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,” he said.
Speaking on the planned nationwide protests, President Tinubu said that protests fuelled by anger and hate, could degenerate into violence and set the country backwards.
He said; “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, 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 percent,” Tinubu said.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Bala Lau, assured the President of support with prayers and more sensitization, saying that peace is paramount for us in the country.
Lau said that the first thing Abraham asked God for was peace and guidance.
