President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday vowed to fiercely defend his mandate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he would “wrestle” with the opposition to the finish while insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains impartial.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains neutral and dismissed complaints from political opponents.
“I asked for this job. I’m in it. Those who will take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and it’s equal opportunity,” the President said.
“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never intimidated anybody. If political opponents are crying wolves, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the uncertainty in the company they keep, not me.”
Tinubu added that he was prepared for the political contest ahead.
“I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me and rope me. No, we wrestle each other to the finishing point.”
The President also defended his administration’s performance, saying living conditions were improving despite inheriting significant economic and governance challenges from his predecessor.
“The quality of life is improving. Our founding fathers did their best, and we owe it to future generations to build a nation of unity, stability and prosperity,” he said.
Highlighting progress in the education sector, Tinubu pointed to the stability of Nigeria’s public universities.
“You can’t say a four-year course is no longer four years. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to your homes. To me, that’s an answer to our prayers.”
On security, the President acknowledged the country’s ongoing challenges but urged Nigerians to remain united.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but Nigeria. The challenges are there. I inherited them, and I didn’t run away.”
Earlier, CBCN President Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso thanked Tinubu for the reception accorded to Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, during the recent celebration marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso also raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, the need to sustain democratic gains, and the importance of conducting credible elections in 2027.
He urged the President to consider the return of mission schools and ensure equal treatment for all religious groups, including the provision of places of worship across the country without discrimination.
The Archbishop of Kaduna further called on the Federal Government to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
