Tinubu to Nigerians: “If You’ve Lost Weight, I’ve Lost Some Too”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians, saying he too has experienced sleepless nights and personal strain while attempting to reform the country’s economy. Speaking after accepting the All Progressives Congress presidential nomination for the 2027 general election, Tinubu defended his administration’s policies and insisted that the sacrifices being experienced were part of a difficult rebuilding process.

“If you’ve lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too,” the President said while reflecting on the pressures of governance and the consequences of ongoing economic reforms.

Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s Economic Hardship

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that he understood the frustration and hardship many Nigerians currently face but argued that difficult reforms were necessary to stabilize the country.
Tinubu said he remained conscious of the responsibility attached to the office, reminding supporters that he actively sought the presidency in 2022 and therefore must remain committed to solving Nigeria’s problems despite the challenges involved.

The President also described Nigeria as a nation his administration inherited “in tatters,” a phrase frequently used by government officials to explain the rationale behind subsidy removal, exchange rate reforms, and fiscal restructuring introduced since the beginning of his administration.
Supporters of the government argue that the reforms are painful but necessary for long-term economic recovery, while critics insist that the burden of adjustment has fallen too heavily on ordinary citizens struggling with inflation, food prices, and declining purchasing power.

APC Nomination and Growing Political Calculations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally accepted the APC presidential nomination for the 2027 election after emerging victorious in the party’s primary process.
During his acceptance speech, Tinubu praised the conduct of the primaries across different states, noting that the process remained largely peaceful without widespread violence or political unrest.

The President highlighted scenes from Kano, Kaduna, Calabar, and other cities as evidence of growing democratic participation within the APC, while also thanking party members for renewing their trust in his leadership.

Political analysts say Tinubu’s remarks about hardship and sacrifice appear designed to connect emotionally with Nigerians facing difficult economic realities while also defending the administration’s reform agenda ahead of the next election cycle.
For now, President Bola Tinubu’s comments have added another emotional and political dimension to the national conversation surrounding economic hardship, governance reforms, and the future direction of Nigeria ahead of 2027.