President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that he once considered abandoning his bid for the presidency during the 2023 election campaign after encountering financial demands from some political supporters.
Tinubu disclosed while reflecting on the challenges he faced during his journey to the presidency and the difficulties that accompanied his campaign.
According to the President, the experience came at a time when he was already facing significant pressure and uncertainty over how to sustain the political mobilisation required for the election.
He recalled an incident involving a request for ₦50,000, which he said nearly pushed him to reconsider his decision to contest the presidential election.
The President described the period as one of the most challenging political experiences of his life, saying he faced considerable odds before eventually emerging as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winning the 2023 election.
Tinubu has previously spoken about the difficult circumstances surrounding his political journey, including the financial and organisational demands involved in building a nationwide campaign.
Despite the challenges, he continued with his presidential ambition and ultimately defeated his major opponents in the February 2023 election.
The President’s account highlights some of the financial pressures and grassroots challenges that can accompany political campaigns in Nigeria, particularly when candidates are expected to mobilise supporters across the country.
Tinubu eventually secured the APC presidential ticket and went on to win the 2023 presidential election, succeeding former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The revelation comes as Tinubu’s political attention increasingly focuses on the 2027 presidential election, following his emergence as the APC’s candidate for the next presidential contest.
The President has since maintained that his administration is focused on implementing its economic and development agenda while preparing for the next electoral cycle.
