Tinubu: I’m not thinking about re-election | Nigerians will thank me for taking tough decisions

President Bola Tinubu says a time will come when Nigerians will appreciate his administration for taking tough policies.

Tinubu spoke on Saturday during the south-west assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

The event was attended by leaders of the APC in the south-west geopolitical zone, including governors, deputy-governors, federal and state lawmakers, and former elected officials.

Speaking at the event, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff, who represented Tinubu, said the reforms initiated by the current administration have exposed the party to widespread criticism.

He assured the APC members that his tough decisions would set the country on the path, adding that he appreciates the support shown to his administration.

The president added that he is not thinking about the 2027 election but on improving the lives of Nigerians and bequeathing a prosperous country to the next generation.

“We acknowledge that our decisions have been tough, but they needed to be taken. The gains are at the end of the tunnel,” the president said.

“That time will come when we will all be happy and thank our government for taking those decisions. Right now, I am not thinking of the next election but about the next generation.

“This is why we are implementing reforms that are long overdue. This is the hallmark of a true leader.”

In his keynote address, Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, said the merger that led to the creation of APC in 2013 was the first successful party coalition in the country since the first republic.

The former Ekiti governor said since the formation of the party, the APC has stayed united and won elections successively.

He added that the party must not take citizens for granted and ensure that wealth creation programmes are created for the people.

“Our party, particularly in the south-west should commit to the facilitation of wealth and employment creation for our people,” Fayemi said.

“We must expand social security and skills acquisition policies to enhance human development, embark on wholesale revamp of our education system to ensure it is fit for purpose, and the intensive fostering of measures aimed at expanding inclusivity for those who are objectively marginalised in the polity.

“While we can be proud of the road we have travelled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything.

“It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them.

“This we must do by learning lessons of experience.

“We should also be ready to mobilise for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity.”

On his part, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said it is time for the party to reach a consensus and work together for the pursuit of progress of the zone.

“Now is the time for us to live in unity and work together in pursuit of goals that will uplift our people,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“We must restore family values, confront youth restlessness and tackle the growing ‘get rich quick’ mindset.

“Our country is facing difficult times like many other countries but the good news is that the president is addressing these challenges with focus and determination.

“It is up to the citizens not to succumb to laziness, but to cooperate with the Government to achieve the swift recovery we all desire.”