President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s critical challenges, emphasizing that he is in office to work for the nation’s progress, not for personal gain.
During a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly at the State House, Abuja, the President said, “I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work.” Tinubu, who served as a senator before his presidency, spoke warmly to the group of former colleagues, noting that he sought and received the people’s mandate to serve.
The meeting, which included 16 former Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House of Representatives, and their deputies, was led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani. The forum expressed its full support for Tinubu’s administration, despite party differences, pledging to contribute to national development.
President Tinubu acknowledged the complexities of nation-building, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, education, and energy security, and called for unity to address the country’s challenges. He noted, “We neglected our communities, and we forgot to provide them with a good standard of living… We can’t complain about low school enrollment when we’ve done little to encourage it.”
He outlined his administration’s focus on improving infrastructure, promoting financial compliance, and exploring alternative energy sources to ensure long-term energy security. Reflecting on the country’s economic struggles, the President urged the former lawmakers to share their experience and insights to aid in nation-building efforts.
Nnamani, speaking on behalf of the forum, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to address Nigeria’s pressing issues, from security to the economy. He said, “Mr. President, history has never been the burden of one man alone… but we are convinced that with your experience, you can face and surmount these difficulties.”
Nnamani also praised Tinubu’s efforts in securing local government autonomy, a move that has been widely lauded across political divides, and commended the President for appointing former National Assembly members to key positions in his administration.
The meeting marked the President’s first official engagement with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers since taking office, as both sides pledged ongoing cooperation to achieve national development goals.
