From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed to members of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), led by Senator Tanko Almakura, former Governor of Nasarawa State, that he has met his revenue target for the year through the non-oil sector ahead of schedule and will remain focused on Nigeria’s progress despite external pressures, including actions from US President Donald Trump.
Addressing the political family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari at a recent audience, President Tinubu reflected on the early political alliance with Buhari, emphasising mutual respect and dedication to a progressive government. “Let me first apologise for coming late. That’s the difference between Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu. If it were him, he would be here right on time,” Tinubu joked, before expressing heartfelt thanks to attendees, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker, Aminu Masari, Almakura, and others.
He recounted the challenging beginnings of their alliance, noting spirited debates on symbols—“He insisted on parliament and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn.” Tinubu reassured his supporters not to be swayed by threats but to draw strength from unity and shared belief in a progressive government building on Buhari’s legacy. “Don’t worry about the threats. When I see people like you, my determination is to work harder,” he said.
Highlighting economic achievements, Tinubu declared the stabilisation of the Nigerian economy, with exchange rates improving from N1900 to a dollar to N1450 at present. “The economy is stabilised; nobody is trading pieces of paper for exchange rate anymore. When I took over, it was N1900 to a dollar. It’s N1,450 now. Rates have been stabilising now.” He promised continued efforts to create jobs through export, import, and industrial growth.
Most notably, Tinubu announced, “Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year, and we met it in August.” Projecting confidence against international challenges, he dismissed concerns over Donald Trump’s activities, saying, “If non-oil revenue is going well, then have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side.” He revealed plans for a large mechanisation programme across all regions to boost food sovereignty and security, key to eradicating poverty.
Tinubu closed with a pledge rooted in Buhari’s principles: “Part of what we inherited from Buhari was his honesty, transparency, justice, that’s all. You won’t have anything less than that. You will have joy at the end of this journey, and we will definitely put something together to build a Buhari House; that house will be a house of joy and prosperity.”
Almakura, on behalf of TBO, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for honouring the late Buhari with dignity and full military honours during his burial, saying, “When our leader passed on, the nation grieved and mourned. At that point, you became a symbol of consolation as you presided over the entire procedure of his passage.” Almakura emphasised the shared vision between Tinubu and Buhari for a disciplined, just, and economically sovereign Nigeria, urging continued security efforts and full support for Tinubu and the APC’s vision toward 2027.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass, assured Tinubu of unconditional support from former members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He praised Tinubu’s role in the partnership with Buhari that turned the CPC dream into reality and expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s support during Buhari’s burial proceedings. “We are together today with you, tomorrow, and forever,” Abass affirmed, promising that CPC members across states will mobilise support for Tinubu’s administration and 2027 re-election efforts.