Like You, I’ve Lost Sleep, Weight Over Economic Reforms — Tinubu Tells Nigerians

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has admitted that the economic reforms introduced by his administration have been difficult and painful, saying he has personally shared in the hardship experienced by Nigerians.

Tinubu made the remarks on Sunday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja shortly after emerging as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election.

Addressing party leaders, governors and supporters after the APC presidential primary, the president acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians have endured over the past three years due to the administration’s fiscal and economic policies.

“I know what it takes to reform this nation we met in tatters. If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too,” Tinubu said.

“But I’ve always remembered one thing: in 2022, I asked for this job. You all supported me and I got it. So I must do it,” he added.

The president maintained that the reforms, though difficult, were necessary to stabilise and rebuild the country’s economy.

Accepting the party’s nomination, Tinubu expressed gratitude to APC members for once again giving him the mandate to represent the party in the 2027 presidential election.

“I accept with profound humility and gratitude the nomination of our great party, the APC, to stand again as your presidential candidate in the 2027 election,” he stated.

Tinubu defeated his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, in the nationwide direct primary election held across the country’s 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards.

According to the final results, the president secured 10,999,162 votes, while Osifo polled 16,503 votes.

The president also praised the peaceful conduct of the primary election, describing it as evidence of Nigeria’s growing democratic maturity.

“I was glued to the television after voting. I saw the mammoth crowd in Kano and Kaduna, the city boy walking the streets of Calabar,” Tinubu said.

“It was a good feeling to see that there was no bloodshed, no rancour. This is politics in earnest. This is where we want Nigeria, facing one focus,” he added.

The APC primary victory officially positions Tinubu as the ruling party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2027 general election.