President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms, saying his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings or indebtedness to any individual or institution.

Tinubu said his victory in the 2023 general election was by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in getting support from Nigerians.

He stated this during a meeting with a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

The president said: “I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.

“One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption.

“What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what it takes to be a good citizen and what it takes to be a responsible citizen.”

Tinubu meets APC governors over nationwide protest

Speaking on the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 to 10, Tinubu said protests fuelled by anger and hate could degenerate into violence and set the country backwards.

Tinubu added that the sponsors of protests place their selfish ambitions above the national interest.

He stated: “The sponsors of protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports.

“They are in different parts of the world holding meetings virtually.

“We do not want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful. We should be careful with premature politics; politics of hate, and anger.

“The internet has made it possible to hold meetings in artificial settings. They hold meetings and sponsor anger.”

In his remarks, Sheikh Lau assured the president of support with prayers and more sensitisation.

“Peace is paramount for us in the country. The first thing Abraham asked God for was peace and guidance,” he said.

The Star