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President Bola Tinubu has stated that his emergence as Nigeria’s president was part of a divine plan.
Tinubu made the declaration while reiterating his commitment to good governance, adherence to the rule of law, and the preservation of democratic values in the country.
The president spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during an interfaith iftar where he hosted members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president emphasised the importance of strengthening electoral institutions, processes, and systems across political parties.
Tinubu also advocated for the adoption of direct primaries, saying the system would allow party members to participate more actively in choosing candidates for various political offices.
Describing himself as a committed democrat, the president pledged to continue working towards Nigeria’s unity while upholding the rule of law.
“Some of us had been bruised struggling for it. We were detained, we protested, we had street demonstrations, we went into exile and all of that. We formed NADECO. I followed the leadership destiny that God has chosen for me. There’s no doubt about it.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he had “no choice” but to sign the Electoral Act, explaining that the bill was passed with overwhelming support by the National Assembly of Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, he chose to respect the rule of law rather than plunge the country into political turmoil.
He made the remarks while addressing the All Progressives Congress, APC, leaders and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, where he reflected on the challenges of governance and the nature of politics in a democratic system.
Read Also: Peter Obi Slams Tinubu Over ADC Leaders’ Arrests
Speaking on the Electoral Act, the president said he chose to respect the decision of the National Assembly of Nigeria, which passed the legislation with overwhelming support.
“I had no choice. I didn’t want to throw the country into turmoil of argument,” Tinubu said.
“There was an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly that passed the law. If I had serious questions or reservations, I would have raised them. But I submitted myself to the principle of the rule of law and democracy. I signed, and the rest is history.”
The president stressed that democracy requires compromise and mutual support among political actors, noting that political competition often feels rewarding only when one is victorious.
“The game of politics is sweet only when you’re winning,” he said.
Tinubu added that leaders and citizens alike must learn to accommodate and support one another in order to strengthen democratic institutions.
“We must accommodate one another. We must help one another. We must strengthen the platform. But in democracy, yes, there must be peace, stability, and commitment to the rule of law,” he said.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi broke weeks of public silence on Monday to condemn the arrests and ongoing detention of African Democratic Congress leaders Nasir El-Rufai and Abubakar Malami, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponizing criminal prosecution against political opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement posted on X, Obi described the situation as a “blatant persecution of political opponents disguised as criminal prosecution,” saying the timing of the arrests — which coincided with both men’s public commitment to removing the Tinubu administration from power in 2027 — raised serious questions about the government’s motives. He called the integrity of Nigeria’s rule of law “non-negotiable,” warning that its erosion threatened both economic development and national stability.
