Cabals, interest groups behind insecurity wants me dead, Tinubu reacts to resurgence of kidnappings

Worried by the resurgence of kidnappings and banditry attacks across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attributed the incidences to cabals and interested groups in order to kill him.

He said on Wednesday that his reforms since assumption of office in the foreign exchange and fuel subsidy which was stop did not go down well, hence, some elements were wishing him dead.

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“The decision to cancel multiple exchange rates and remove petrol subsidy had offended powerful interests who benefited from the old system.

The President spoke in Lagos at the launch of the book, “The NADECO Story,” written by Chief Ayo Opadokun.

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Some persons were offered awards for their key roles in Nigeria’s democratic struggle under the National Democratic Coalition between 1994 and 1998.

Meanwhile, the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who represented President Tinubu in his presentation revealed that Tinubu was aware of surreptitious moves by some elements to disrupt peace of the nation.

The end to exchange round-tripping and petrol subsidy payments did not augur well for them.

“He said those cabals who are doing round-tripping will wish him dead any time, but he is determined that if that is the only thing he would do, he would make sure he rearranges the economy. No matter what, he is determined to face it. So that’s the message from Mr. President.”

According to him, government’s foreign exchange reforms had reduced the gap between the official and parallel market rates and the naira had not fallen to the level projected by critics of his administration.

@“You all can see that the difference between the parallel market and official market exchange rate is virtually zero now. The naira, which they thought would be ₦2,000 to $1, is now ₦1,380 or thereabouts.

“In fact, he says he is not going to allow the naira to get too strong. He does not want to create confusion for those who have brought money at about ₦1,500 and other goods.”

The President maintained that his administration would continue to pursue economic reforms despite resistance from those who benefited from the previous system.

‘I’ll Perform Better In Second Term’
Tinubu also promised to perform better in his second term if re-elected.

Osoba said the President credited NADECO and pro-democracy activists for helping to entrench democracy in Nigeria.

According to him, Tinubu said he would not have risen to the presidency without the sacrifice of those who fought for democratic rule.

“The President asked me to tell you that he is fully with you, and he still has his tremendous respect that he would not have been where he is today if not for all of you here who have fought to entrench democracy,” Osoba said.

He added that Tinubu had promised to revisit some of the political issues raised by pro-democracy actors when he secures a second term.

Naija News reports that the event attracted several prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine; Chief Fred Agbeyegbe; and Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.

Others in attendance included the Publisher of Vanguard, Sam Amuka; one of the founders of NADECO, Prof Anya O. Anya; rights activist, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo; Akin Omojola; Prof Anthony Kila; Nollywood actress, Joke Silva; former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; and Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN.

Also present were Senator Bode Olajumoke, Wale Oshun, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Lade Bonuola, Dr Obi Nwakanma, Jumoke Anifowoshe, Wale Adeoye and Vanguard Ombudsman, Richard Akinnola.

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