President Bola Tinubu has made a shocking revelation that the cash scarcity triggered by the naira redesign policy in 2022-23 almost forced him to abandon his presidential race.
Speaking at a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu recounted a pivotal moment during his campaign when a close relative visited him at 3:30 am, seeking N50,000 to buy foodstuff for their uncle.
The relative’s words struck a chord, as he lamented the harsh impact of the cash crunch on ordinary Nigerians, questioning Tinubu’s motivation for running for president.
Tinubu recalled his response, saying, “I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.” Despite his resolve, the president admitted that he almost dropped the idea of running for president after learning that his uncle received only N10,000 out of the N50,000 sent.
Tinubu credited former Katsina governor, Aminu Masari and others for encouraging him to stay the course. He also reflected on the tough decisions he made upon assuming office, including the removal of fuel subsidies on his inauguration day.
The president stood firm despite facing severe backlash from the media, believing it was the right move for Nigeria’s future.