In a recent banquet held in honor of the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he addressed the controversy surrounding his refusal to refund the cost of flyovers constructed in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu clarified that his reason for not making any commitment to refund the cost of the flyovers was that he could not sign any expenditure until he was sworn in as the President. News About Nigeria reports.
As a responsible leader, he believes in fulfilling promises and cannot commit to things that are mere expectations and cannot be fulfilled.
While acknowledging the criticism he has received on social media, Tinubu asserted that he does not respond to such talks. He stated that he has been called every name under the sun on social media, but he remains unfazed by it.
His words: “I exchanged a banter with Gov Wike, if you take me seriously, (it’s left to you). The truth is, I’m a President-elect. I have no signature for expenditure until sworn in. How can I make a commitment? I cannot sign a dime of Nigeria money or expenditure now. There can only be one president at a time.
“If you ask me to go and commit to things that are mere expectations and cannot be fulfilled, I believe in fulfilling promises, that’s why I’m here. And we have to do it for Nigeria. I thank you all for the support you gave me during the election, but I’m still on a countdown.
“If I sign anything for you now and commit to it, I can’t pay. For that flyover, how can I pay, personally? That’s not realistic.
“I hope that clears the social media fears. I don’t respond to (social media talks). There is no name they’ve not called me on (social media). It’s a free speech society and around the world.”
