President Bola Tinubu has declared that neither political pressure nor intimidation will deter him from carrying out his responsibilities, insisting that his administration remains committed to reforms already showing results.
Speaking on Thursday at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors—a grassroots mobilisation group—Tinubu reassured supporters of his resolve to stay the course despite growing criticism from opposition figures and sections of civil society.
The meeting was attended by key political figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu pushed back against his critics, asserting his legitimacy as successor to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He described his leadership as a continuation of a shared political vision, noting that any shortcomings inherited from the previous administration must be corrected rather than ignored.
The President emphasised his determination to remain in office and deliver on his promises, recalling the challenges he faced during both the party primaries and the general election. He assured supporters that he would not abandon what he described as a critical national mission.
His remarks come amid mounting criticism from opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently accused the administration of failing to alleviate economic hardship. At a recent convention of the African Democratic Congress, figures such as Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi also criticised the government, with some calling for Tinubu’s resignation.
In response, the Presidency dismissed Atiku’s recent media appearance as lacking substance. Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare described the interview as unfocused and devoid of clear policy direction, arguing that it failed to present a credible alternative to the government’s reform agenda.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also criticised Atiku, questioning his track record and dismissing his comments on national hardship. Wike challenged the former vice president to compare past governance with ongoing development projects in Abuja, asserting that noticeable progress has been made within a short period.
He further downplayed the strength of a proposed opposition coalition reportedly involving figures like Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Nasir El-Rufai, expressing confidence that the ruling party would remain dominant ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, Tinubu used the meeting to call for respect for democratic institutions, urging Nigerians to uphold the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary. He described his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda as a long-term effort to address poverty, strengthen democracy, and build national unity.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors initiative, launched earlier this year, is designed to mobilise grassroots support for the administration’s policies and political objectives as the country looks ahead to the next electoral cycle.