• President Tinubu said he cannot be intimidated or pressured into abandoning his administration’s agenda
• The President insisted he would continue implementing reforms despite criticism
• Tinubu defended his government’s policies by linking them to the Buhari administration
• He said his mission is to tackle poverty, ignorance and strengthen democracy

President Bola Tinubu has declared that no amount of criticism, intimidation or political pressure will force him to abandon his duties or his administration’s reform agenda.

Speaking on Thursday, April 16, at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu said he remained determined to continue with policies he believes are already producing results.

The President used the meeting to challenge critics and opposition figures, insisting that he would not be discouraged by attacks against his administration.

He said, “They want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I’ve been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over and over again, I’ll do the same thing.

“There is no better place than your own country, and no one can build it except you.

“During the primaries that got me here, it was tough. During the election, it was tough. Now that I’m here, all I can promise is that I won’t give up.”

Tinubu also assured members of the political mobilisation group that he would not retreat in the face of criticism.

“Whatever you say I do, but one thing that you need from me is a promise that I won’t run away from this fight. With you, the deal is done,” he stated.

His remarks come at a time when opposition politicians and some civil society groups have continued to criticise the pace and impact of his reforms, especially over the rising cost of living and economic hardship.

Earlier this week, former Interior Minister and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam” and called on Tinubu to resign.

Tinubu, however, defended his administration’s policies and linked them to the government he inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, “I didn’t have to look back, because the truth is, I took over from myself. The late Buhari is me. He was a partner.

“If I took over from him, is that not from myself? So if something is wrong, fine, live with it, correct it, move on.”

The President also stressed the need for Nigerians to respect the judiciary and uphold democratic principles.

“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of a court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not.

“We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers and the understanding of its dynamics, and the nationhood that Nigeria is. We must build one country,” said Tinubu.

He described his administration’s mission as an opportunity to improve the lives of Nigerians and strengthen democracy.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance, to put freedom in the hearts of our people, to ensure democracy survives. Not the noise-making, not the rascality of a street convention.”

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors initiative was launched in Abuja on February 24 to mobilise grassroots support for the Tinubu administration and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Thursday’s meeting served as a follow-up engagement between the President and the group’s leadership.

Tinubu said he was encouraged by the reports he received from members of the group.

According to him, “I’m inspired, I’m ready. I’m grateful to all of you.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, APC National Chairman Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru were among those present at the meeting.

APC secretary Basiru tells opposition to take responsibility for internal crises

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, had urged opposition parties in Nigeria to stop blaming the ruling party for their internal challenges, insisting that political organisations must take responsibility for managing their own affairs.

Basiru addressed growing allegations that the APC interferes in the activities of opposition parties.

He dismissed such claims, stating that there is no credible evidence linking the ruling party to the internal crises currently affecting opposition groups.

According to him, most disputes stem from internal disagreements and procedural lapses within the parties themselves.