President Bola Tinubu said on Friday he was not in office for personal gain but to serve the country.
He argued that his administration is focused on delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability.
“I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me,” said Tinubu at a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed details of Friday’s talks in a statement titled, ‘I didn’t come to look for money, I came to work’, President Tinubu tells forum of former NASS presiding officers.’
Sixteen former presiding officers attended the meeting. They include former senate presidents, former speakers of the House of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.
The President acknowledged the support and encouragement from the forum members, irrespective of party affiliations, imploring them to continue fostering unity and camaraderie to achieve national development goals.
He highlighted the complex nature of legislative activities, constitutional reviews, and nation-building processes, expressing confidence that Nigeria can progress through collaboration and inclusiveness.
“Regardless of party differences of the past and difficulty of the present, you still believe in me and what we all plan for this country. I thank you very much; no one will do it better than us. I have travelled the world and seen how developed countries have done it for themselves through collaboration, inclusiveness, and financial structure.
“Yes, there is hardship, but how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high crude production? We neglected our communities; we neglected the goose that lays the golden eggs; we forgot even to give them a good standard of living.
“We forgot to educate our children. Go around and look at the dilapidated schools. The education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn. We can complain from now till eternity that the school enrolment is low. But did we do anything to encourage the enrolment process? We must ask ourselves because it is a matter of conscience,” he said.
The President outlined his administration’s focus on addressing these challenges, including improving infrastructure, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, exploring alternative energy sources and providing energy security.
“We have come a long way, and I promise we must do our best,” he said.
He urged the former presiding officers to continue sharing their wealth of experience in nation-building and governance, noting that they were uniquely positioned to provide “clear interpretations of where we are” to Nigerians.
Senator Nnamani, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressed full support for President Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
He congratulated the President, noting that the meeting was the president’s first official engagement with the group since his assumption of office.
“Mr. President, history has never been the burden of one man alone, but some are called to meet a special share of its challenges. Though not of your creation, it has fallen onto you to end the pervasive insecurity across the nation, the economic downturn that has resulted in hunger and anger, infrastructural decay due to years of neglect, and myriads of other national challenges.
“As difficult as these problems are, we believe that with your experience, you can face the difficulties and surmount them. What gives us more hope is the courage with which you handled the issue of local government autonomy, which has won you open admiration from friends and foes alike.
“We are convinced that you will dig in deeper again to eradicate these problems and restore Nigerian pride of place among the comity of nations,” the former senate helmsman said.
He added that the group has seen what elite complacency has caused nations and has resolved to unite across all divides to render whatever assistance it may be called upon to contribute to nation-building and ensuring enduring prosperity for our citizens.
Nnamani explained, “It is in this light and in the national interest that we wish to pledge our support as you work to restore national security, build an economy that works for all and strengthen the bond of unity amongst our disparate peoples.”
He also commended Tinubu for his trust in appointing some of their members to critical national positions, recognizing their vital role in nation-building.
PUNCH
