“They Want To Scare Me Off, It’s A Lie”—Tinubu

In a high-stakes showdown at the State House on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu delivered a blistering rebuttal to opposition heavyweights, declaring that no amount of “intimidation or pressure” would force him to abandon his reform agenda.

Addressing the leadership of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a fired-up Tinubu framed the brewing 2027 political contest as a fight he is well-prepared to win. The President, flanked by Vice President Kashim Shettima and key APC governors, directly challenged critics who have called for his resignation amidst economic hardship.

In a notable shift in rhetoric, Tinubu moved to bridge the gap between his administration and his predecessor’s legacy. Dismissing claims that he inherited a “bad deck” from an adversary, he described former President Muhammadu Buhari as a partner. “I didn’t have to look back, because the truth is, I took over from myself,” Tinubu asserted. “The late Buhari is me. He was a partner. If something is wrong, fine, live with it, correct it, move on.”

The President did not hold back in his assessment of opposition figures, particularly targeting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola. Following Aregbesola’s recent branding of the “Renewed Hope” agenda as a “scam,” and Atiku’s televised critique of the administration’s performance, Tinubu challenged their own historical records.

The President specifically questioned the success of past privatization efforts led by his opponents, asking, “Is the steel industry in Delta working today? Is Ajaokuta working today? They privatized another man’s political party, and that one said no.”

The political heat was further intensified by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Special Adviser Sunday Dare, both of whom launched coordinated attacks on Atiku Abubakar. Wike described the former Vice President as a “serial failure,” mocking his 2027 ambitions by stating the race was “not available for him.” Meanwhile, Dare characterized Atiku’s recent media appearance as “disqualifying,” labeling it a “monologue of grievance” rather than leadership.

Amidst the political fireworks, President Tinubu issued a stern call for respect for the judiciary and constitutional order. He warned against “the rascality of a street convention” and emphasized that his administration would not submit to the disobedience of lawful court orders.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance,” Tinubu told the ambassadors. “I promise I won’t run away from this fight. With you, the deal is done.”

As the APC prepares to mobilize its grassroots networks ahead of the 2027 cycle, the President’s defiant stance signals an early and aggressive start to what promises to be a turbulent political season.