President Bola Tinubu has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate of displaying “serious ignorance” about governance and the economy.
Tinubu made the remark on Thursday when he received Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Adeleke, who contested the August 15 governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Announcing the results at the time at the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, said Adeleke of the Accord Party polled 511,067 votes to defeat Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 444,815 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Party, Dr. Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke met the constitutional requirement of scoring the highest number of votes, obtained at least one-quarter of votes in two-thirds of the state’s 30 local government areas – winning 19 and leaving the remaining 11 for the APC’s Oyebamiji.
However, speaking when the re – elected Adeleke visited him at the Aso Rock Villa, Tinubu criticised opponents who have advocated a return to fuel subsidy, saying such a position reflected a lack of understanding of the country’s economic realities.
“Let’s look at the trajectory of history. I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance about governance and the economy,” the president said.
Tinubu argued that the subsidy regime had contributed to financial difficulties across the country, noting that many states previously struggled to pay salaries and pensions.
“Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners,” he said, adding that state governments had often depended on the Federal Government for financial support.
The president said his administration was focused on improving the lives of Nigerians through infrastructure and public services, including roads, housing, school rehabilitation, healthcare and the training of teachers and health workers.
Addressing Adeleke, Tinubu urged the governor to use his electoral victory to promote reconciliation, unity, peace and stability in Osun State.
He said winning an election should not be viewed as conquering opponents, but as an opportunity to serve the people.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.
He also urged Adeleke not to stigmatise his political opponents and to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law.
“You are in a very, very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace, and stability,” the president told the governor.
Adeleke, speaking with journalists after the meeting, thanked Tinubu for what he described as allowing a free and fair election in Osun State.
“I’m here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy,” Adeleke said.
He added that his visit was aimed at expressing appreciation to the president and reaffirming his commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
