NEWS
“AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, I WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT STUBBORN…” — President Bola Tinubu Admits Early Tough Decisions, Says Reforms Were Driven by Desire to Improve Life for the Downtrodden as He Affirms Commitment to True Federalism and Direct Allocation to Local Governments
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has revealed that he was “a little bit stubborn” at the early stage of his administration, explaining that the firmness was necessary to identify opportunities to correct long-standing issues and make life easier for ordinary Nigerians.
The President made the remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking candidly during the engagement with the media, the President reflected on the early days of his government, noting that his determination to pursue reforms required a level of firmness as he worked to address structural challenges confronting the country.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The President also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s federal structure, noting that significant steps had been taken to deepen the principles of true federalism across the country.
According to him, one of the most notable developments under his administration is the direct allocation of funds from the Federal Government to local governments, a move he said was designed to strengthen grassroots governance and ensure that development reaches communities more effectively.
Tinubu emphasized that while the Federal Government has opened the financial pipeline to local governments, the responsibility for the effective utilization of those resources now lies with local authorities and stakeholders at the grassroots level.
The interfaith Iftar meeting, which brought together prominent journalists and media executives from across the country, also served as an opportunity for the President to reiterate the role of the media in holding leaders accountable while fostering constructive national dialogue.
Observers say the President’s remarks offered a rare moment of personal reflection, highlighting both the challenges and the determination that have shaped the policy direction of his administration si
nce assuming office.