Tinubu: I invoked spirit of ’emi lokan’ to win election despite CBN naira redesign policy

President Bola Tinubu says he invoked the spirits of wisdom and determination, symbolised by “Baba Emi lokan,” to overcome the obstacles in the election.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the palace of Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Sikiru Adetona, during a thank-you visit to the monarch.

In the build-up to the elections, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced a naira redesign policy.

The apex bank had fixed February 10 as the deadline for the use of old N200, N500, and N1,000 bank notes — and insisted on it despite a court order against enforcing the deadline.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari later ordered the CBN to recirculate old N200 notes.

Speaking on the development, Tinubu said recounted his concerns about the confiscation of funds and the failure of the cashless policy, and how he had previously sought wisdom and guidance from the monarch during his visit to the palace.

“Our money was confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work, it was terrible then. I realised that I came to this palace to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for,” Dele Alake, his special adviser on communications, quoted him as saying.

“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you.

“The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win).

“The way you have taken me, the way you have responded to me, all I can say is thank you. May you live long and may you witness a prosperous Nigeria.”

In a separate visit to Adedotun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland, the president expressed optimism that Nigeria would be better under his stewardship.

“The hope is recharged; the hope is here. That hope will never fail. That hope will recharge your lives in a positive manner,” he said.

“By the grace of Almighty God, we shall reap the fruits of our labour, Nigeria will see positive change, just endure these baby steps of pain.

“This country is the only one we have. I have been a refugee and I know what it means to be a refugee and my green passport is what I still have now.”