“I Will Lend Them ‘Jigi-Bola'” – Tinubu
ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu struck a tone of fierce defiance on Thursday, April 16, 2026, declaring that no amount of opposition “rascality” or political intimidation will derail his administration’s reform agenda.
Hosting the national leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House, the President dismissed critics’ attempts to “scare him off,” reaffirming his commitment to the painful but necessary economic shifts currently reshaping the nation.
“The life voyage is not going to be easy. For those traveling with me, I say you will not regret it. If they don’t want to see the hope, the roads, and the bridges, we shall lend them ‘Jigi-Bola’ (eyeglasses). I won’t run away from this fight.” — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“I Took Over From Myself”: Tinubu on the Buhari Legacy
In a candid moment during the summit, President Tinubu addressed the complexities of the economy he inherited from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
“The late Buhari is me; he was a partner,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing that he views his administration as a continuation of a shared vision rather than a separate entity. “If I took over from him, is that not from myself? If something is wrong, fine—live with it, correct it, and move on.”
Key Declarations from the Abuja Summit
The President used the high-level meeting to set a clear tone for the remainder of his term, focusing on three major pillars:
Rule of Law: Tinubu warned against the “disobedience of lawful court orders,” describing judicial integrity as the bedrock of democracy. He insisted that the administration would respect court rulings whether they “favored” the government or not.
Opposition Antics: Labeling certain opposition tactics as “street conventions” and “rascality,” the President assured the ambassadors that he remains undeterred and will not retreat from his policy positions.
Grassroots Mobilization: He charged the ambassadors to serve as the “conscience of the nation,” moving beyond social media to markets, campuses, and wards to counter misinformation with factual evidence of growth.
Strengthening the APC Structure
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, serving as the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, briefed the President on the movement’s progress. He revealed that structures have been inaugurated across all electoral wards to drive “political evangelism.”
The summit also saw a significant show of force from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and several governors in attendance. The Chairman assured the President that the party is working in sync with the ambassadors to strengthen voter education ahead of the 2027 general elections.