President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday acknowledged the harsh impact of his administration’s economic reforms, saying the policies have taken a personal toll on him, just as they have on millions of Nigerians.
Tinubu spoke in Abuja shortly after securing the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general elections, following a nationwide direct primary conducted across the country.
Addressing party leaders, governors and supporters at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the President admitted that the sweeping reforms introduced under his government had been “gruelling,” but insisted they were necessary to stabilise an economy he inherited in a fragile state.
“I know what it takes to reform this nation we met in tatters. If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too,” he said.
He added, “In 2022, I asked for this job. You all supported me, and I got it. So I must do it.”
Tinubu formally accepted his party’s nomination, pledging to seek re-election with “profound humility and gratitude.”
According to the results announced by party officials, the President polled 10,999,162 votes to defeat his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, who scored 16,503 votes in the exercise.
The APC primary, held across 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards, was conducted using the direct voting method, allowing registered party members to participate.
Tinubu commended the process, describing it as peaceful and reflective of Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“I was glued to the television after voting. I saw the mammoth crowd in Kano and Kaduna, the city boy walking the streets of Calabar. It was a good feeling to see that there was no bloodshed, no rancour,” he said.
He further described the exercise as a sign of a maturing democracy and called for unity within the party ahead of the 2027 polls.
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the economic reforms introduced since 2023, including subsidy removal and fiscal restructuring, which have triggered inflationary pressures and increased cost of living across the country.
Despite the criticisms, Tinubu maintained that the policies were designed to reposition the economy for long-term growth and stability.
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