President insists INEC remains neutral, says he will not allow the opposition to take power without a political contest
President Bola Tinubu has declared that he will not allow political opponents to take power without a fight ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that politics remains a contest of ideas and equal opportunities.
President Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House, Abuja.
With less than six months to the presidential election, the President said he was fully aware of efforts by political opponents seeking to unseat him but vowed not to surrender his mandate willingly.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
He maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains neutral and accused some opposition figures of being unsettled by internal political uncertainties rather than any action of his administration.
“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never intimidated anybody. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,” he stated.
The President added that he would not make it easy for political rivals to take over power.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu also defended his administration’s performance, saying Nigeria’s quality of life is gradually improving despite inheriting significant economic and security challenges from previous administrations.
“The quality of life is improving. Our founding fathers did their best; they lived for the nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to build a nation of unity, stability and prosperity,” he said.
Highlighting developments in the education sector, the President noted that public universities have enjoyed industrial harmony, allowing students to complete their programmes without disruptions caused by prolonged strikes.
“You can’t say a four-year course is not four years. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to your homes. To me, that’s an answer to our prayers,” President Tinubu added.
On security, he acknowledged that challenges remain but reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing them.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but this Nigeria. In our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to one another as humanity. The challenges are there. I inherited them. I didn’t run away,” he stated.
Earlier, CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, commended President Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso, however, raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, democratic consolidation and the need for credible elections in 2027.
He urged the President to consider the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment for all worshippers across the country, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Archbishop of Kaduna also called on the Federal Government to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.