- Says he's not in a hurry to fix Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday, revealed that he wouldn't have contested the primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona advised him against contesting.

The President, during a private visit to Ogun State, said he visited the Awujale Palace before the primary of the party to seek for the Monarch's directive, adding that Awujale rather encouraged him.

Tinubu who revealed that the question posed to Awujale when he visited was a sincere question said he would have stepped down from the contest as he wouldn't have gone against 'his father.'

"I asked you a sincere question here in this Palace when I came before the APC primaries, I said if I should run or not, if you said I shouldn't, I would have stepped down, I wouldn't have gone against my father but you said immediately that I must run, you said it is our run not my run, you said that entire kingdom is behind me."

Tinubu who assured Nigerians that he knows what is at stake in the country promised not to substitute success with excuses.

"My Father, I know what is at stake. I know I cannot afford to fail. I will not substitute success with excuses."

While speaking during the visit, Awujale commended the administration’s policies on subsidy removal and monetary policy, adding that same have restored hope of Nigerians in the country.

"The first major decisions you took on subsidy and monetary policies restored the hope of both your friends and foes about the future of Nigeria."

Speaking at the palace of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, President Tinubu urged Nigerians not be in a hurry in seeking solutions to the challenges facing the nation.

The President asked Nigerians to go with him through what he called the baby steps of faith, saying people should not be in a hurry.

“Let's go through this baby steps of faith. I am taking baby steps as the president. Let's not be in a hurry. Be ready for this. Maintain an open-door policy. Let the freedom flow. Let the confidence return. This country is the only country we have. I've been a refugee and I know what it means to be a refugee,” he said.

Tinubu assured Nigerians that he is determined to deliver on all campaign promises, calling for prayers after achieving his ‘Emilokan’ prayer point.

He stated, “Having achieved the prayer point of 'Emilokan', what I ask for is prayer for this country. I am determined to help this our country, to steer the ship of the nation and to deliver on all promises that were made.

“I am here still making that pledge of the campaign promises. There's no difference between us and any other member of the Nigerian public. I said it in France, that we are children of the same parents, living in the same house, but we are only sleeping in different bedrooms. Just recognize that.

“Let's be united, no distractions. We will arrive at a positive destination in the country. It's all in our hands to make history and I will do that. By the grace of God, we shall reap the fruits of our labour. Nigeria will see positive changes.”

Speaking on his visit to Ogun State, Tinubu said he only wanted to sneak in and sneak out, stating that now he knows what it means to be the President.

He maintained that the hope for a better Nigeria has been recharged and it will not fail.

“I was determined to be here to say thank you to a great leader, Oba Gbadebo and to all of us here present.

“Aremo (Olusegun Osoba) well done; Dimeji Bankole, well done, (Ibikunle) Amosun, well done. Chairman of our party, I'm grateful, at least, we delivered despite the hardship of no money, no fuel; I credit you.

“This visit, I didn't know that it will be like this. I only wanted to sneak in and sneak out; now I know exactly what it is to be a president. It is awesome.

“The hope is recharged right here. That hope will never fail. That hope will recharge your light.

“Please, we need your prayers, we need your supports, we need your interventions so that the economic prosperity of this nation being opened up will affect everyone of you positively,” the President submitted.