I was a little bit stubborn’, when I first came to power – Tinubu reflects on early days in office

I was a little bit stubborn’, when I first came to power – Tinubu reflects on early days in office

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has admitted that he was “a little bit stubborn” during the early days of his administration as he pushed through key policies and reforms.

The president made the remark on Thursday during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking at the gathering, Tinubu reflected on his approach to governance at the start of his tenure, noting that his administration had since opened up governance processes and strengthened federal principles in the country.

He also highlighted reforms aimed at deepening federalism, particularly in relation to the financial autonomy of local governments.

According to the president, the federal government has taken steps to ensure that local government councils now receive their allocations directly from the national treasury.

Tinubu said the move is part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and ensure that resources meant for local administrations reach them without interference.

“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,” Tinubu said.