President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has admitted that the economic reforms introduced by his administration have brought hardship to millions of Nigerians, saying he personally shares in the pain and sacrifices citizens have endured over the past three years.
Tinubu made the remarks on Sunday shortly after emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s nationwide primary exercise.
Speaking at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja after his victory was officially announced, the president acknowledged the tough realities many Nigerians have faced due to his government’s economic policies.
According to him, the reforms were necessary to stabilise and rebuild a country he described as being in serious difficulty when his administration took over.
“I understand the sacrifices Nigerians are making. If you have lost sleep, I have also lost sleep. If you have lost weight, I have also lost weight,” Tinubu told party supporters and leaders during his acceptance speech.
The president explained that despite the growing criticism over rising living costs and economic challenges, he remains committed to carrying out reforms he believes are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term recovery and stability.
“But one thing always stays on my mind — in 2022, I asked Nigerians for this responsibility, and with your support I got the job. That means I must continue to do the work,” he added.
Tinubu formally accepted the APC presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, expressing gratitude to party members across the country for their support and confidence in his leadership.
“I humbly accept the nomination of our great party to once again stand as the APC presidential candidate in the 2027 election,” he declared.
The president also praised the conduct of the APC primary election, describing it as peaceful and well organised.
He revealed that after casting his vote in Lagos on Saturday morning, he monitored the exercise across the country on television and was encouraged by the turnout and atmosphere in several states.
Tinubu said scenes from Kano, Kaduna, Calabar, and other parts of Nigeria gave him renewed confidence in the democratic process and the unity of the party.
“I watched the crowds in different states and felt inspired. What made me happiest was seeing a peaceful process without violence or chaos. That is the kind of politics we want for Nigeria,” he said.
Official results from the APC direct primary showed Tinubu securing a landslide victory with 10,999,162 votes.
His only challenger, Stanley Osifo, polled 16,503 votes in the exercise conducted across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas and 8,809 political wards.
The president’s victory officially confirms him as the APC flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for what is expected to be another fiercely contested national poll.
Tinubu’s comments about sharing in the hardship faced by Nigerians have already sparked widespread reactions online, with supporters praising his honesty while critics argue that more practical relief measures are needed to ease the country’s economic burden.
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