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President Bola Tinubu has defended the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting the electoral umpire remains impartial ahead of the 2027 general election while dismissing concerns raised by opposition parties over the credibility of the polls.
Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said claims that INEC was being influenced by the government were unfounded, arguing that political opponents were only expressing fears born out of uncertainty within their own ranks.
The President maintained that the commission had never intimidated any political actor and reaffirmed his readiness to face any challenger in the next presidential election.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never, never intimidated anybody. If political opponents are crying wolves, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me.
“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.”
Tinubu also defended his administration’s performance, saying Nigerians were beginning to experience improvements in their quality of life despite the economic and governance challenges inherited from his predecessor.
According to him, his administration remains focused on building a more stable and prosperous nation while addressing long-standing issues affecting citizens.
He pointed to the absence of prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as one of the government’s notable achievements, saying uninterrupted academic calendars had brought relief to Nigerian families.
“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. Is that not an answer to our prayers? To me, that’s an answer,” he said.
The President acknowledged that insecurity and other national challenges persist but stressed that his government would continue working to overcome them.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but Nigeria. The challenges are there. I inherited them. I didn’t run away,” he added.
Earlier, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, commended 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, the need to sustain Nigeria’s democratic gains and the importance of conducting credible elections in 2027.
He also appealed to the President to consider the return of mission schools and ensure equal treatment of all worshippers across the country, while calling on the Federal Government to guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections in 2027.
