President Bola Tinubu has narrated how he almost gave up on his presidential race and the motivation he received from a close ally, Aminu Massri, to make him remain in the race.

Tinubu led this out on Saturday at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he also thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming goodwill and prayers on his 73rd birthday.

The former governor of Lagos State, recognised the difficulties encountered along the path to the presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.

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He said: “I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me. When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back

“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns.

“One came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle.

“He told me, ‘The currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?’

“I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it.

“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal.

“The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone.

“The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future.”