President Bola Tinubu has urged political leaders to ignore criticism from members of the opposition.
He accused opposition politicians of undermining democratic values while claiming to uphold them.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday, when he hosted a delegation of political leaders from Enugu, led by the state’s governor, Peter Mbah, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
In a statement by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president insisted that democracy would endure in Nigeria despite what he described as intimidation.
“Democracy will survive, despite all the intimidation. Ignore it, as I advise myself; stay focused. When you are succeeding, and they are angry, leave them in their corner,” Tinubu said.
While addressing the delegation, Tinubu also criticised past governance decisions, particularly in the power sector, stressing the need to stay focused on rebuilding the country.
“You have leaders who have privatised electricity that is not working. They gave us darkness, as you said, and we are trying to get ourselves through that to build a nation of bright hope and joyful people.
“But they don’t even believe in the democracy that they preach all about. Don’t pay attention to them because I don’t.
“We stay on our lanes. We stay focused. We build our life on people, the welfare, the prosperity, and the promise of today and tomorrow,” he said.
The president further defended his administration’s economic and governance approach, stressing the need for long-term planning in national development.
“What has been the problem in the past is a Nigerian that is trying to finance long-term projects with short-term funding.
“We have not embarked upon a serious long-term outlook for our country,” he added.
He also praised Nigeria’s economic potential, noting that the country remains a leading force on the continent despite its challenges.
“When you look at the indices around African growth and economic opportunity today, Nigeria is still leading. And it is with the contributions of people like you that is making it so,” he said.
Tinubu noted that national progress is a collective effort involving all tiers of government.
“It’s not a one-man occasion. It’s a collective effort at the national, sub-national, and local government. Please do more for the local government,” he said.