Sponsors of protests don’t love Nigeria, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said sponsors of the planned nationwide protests are placing their selfish ambitions above the national interest.

He warned against politics of hate, which he said could send Nigeria into a political abyss like Sudan.

Tinubu made these remarks when he received a delegation of Islamic leaders, led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement he signed Thursday night, titled, ‘President Tinubu: I have no cabals or sponsors to compensate.’

Tinubu said, “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.”

The President’s remarks came amid growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship, scheduled for 1 – 15 August 2024.

Thursday’s meeting was part of last-ditch efforts by the Federal Government to engage critical stakeholders to avert what it described as a brewing crisis.

Tinubu also affirmed that his administration is not dancing to the tune of any interest group in his ongoing economic reforms. He said his electoral campaigns were self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution.

“I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune,” Tinubu stated, adding that his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning, and diligence in winning support from Nigerians.

“At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the

President. Mine is now to 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,’’ the President stated.

Tinubu warned that protests fuelled by anger and hate could degenerate into violence and set the country back.

“We are reworking the social welfare scheme to reach the ward level, which is the closest to our people. We are going to ensure that we re-establish connection with the wards again so that we can give allowances to the poor and the vulnerable. The student loans will pay for school fees. There will be monetary support for the education of our children.

The consumer credit will support citizens to buy cars and houses, and they can repay gradually. We have increased the minimum wage by more than 100 per cent,’’ the President said.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sheikh Bala 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,’’ Lau noted.