President Bola Tinubu has declared that he will resist attempts by opposition forces to unseat him in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he will remain in the race until the end.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving 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 election, the President said he was aware of efforts by political opponents to take over his position but maintained that he would not be intimidated or persuaded to abandon his re-election bid.
He also expressed confidence in the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing concerns raised by some politicians about the electoral body.
According to Tinubu, those questioning the electoral process were merely expressing fear and uncertainty rather than genuine concerns about the conduct of the election.
The President said he was prepared to face his political opponents and remain in the contest until the final stage of the 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.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu also said the quality of life in Nigeria was improving, adding that his administration inherited both the assets and liabilities of the previous government and had continued to address the country’s challenges.
“The quality of life is improving. Our founding fathers did their best; they lived for the nation, and we owe it to our generations yet unborn to build the nation of unity, stability and prosperity for the future, to educate our people.
“None of your children in the university today, and I will say all of them are your children, the reverend fathers.
“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.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but Nigeria.
“In this complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all of us as humanity.
“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, thanked Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso also raised concerns over the country’s security challenges, the quality and capacity of tertiary education, the need to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure credible elections and address rising poverty.
He further urged the Federal Government to consider restoring mission schools and ensure equal treatment for worshippers across the country, including equitable access to places of worship.
The Archbishop of Kaduna also called on the Federal Government to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and credible.
