"They Accused Me Of Killing opposition, But I Didn’t Have A Gun" - Tinubu [Video]

President Bola Tinubu has denied claims that he is trying to weaken opposition parties or turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast meeting with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Addressing the lawmakers, Tinubu said public officials will always face criticism, including claims that they are trying to silence opponents.

Responding to allegations that he is “killing the opposition,” the president said such accusations are part of political life.

He added that although he has presidential powers, he has not used them to suppress anyone.

“What they call you, any name, any nickname, critics must talk. When they accused me of killing opposition, I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence seeing as I have the authority,” he said.

Tinubu stressed that the country is going through difficult times, including insecurity caused by terrorism and banditry, and said these problems require cooperation rather than political division.

“But I can’t blame anybody for jumping out of a sinking ship. What we have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc,” he added.

“And we should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy and pull us together. They didn’t say we should fight. It’s a good thing that we are working in harmony.”

The president went on to defend his government’s economic policies, describing them as bold reforms carried out with the support of the National Assembly.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together,” he said.

“What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.”

He told the senators that the country is now on a path toward economic recovery and growth.

“You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you can see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud of this great moment, and I am glad you are,” the president said.

“What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me.”

Watch the video below:

I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together.

– President Tinubu

pic.twitter.com/DjtP06BHoT https://t.co/Biqd4dkSJK

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) February 26, 2026