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President Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is biased ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting the electoral body remains neutral and that opposition parties have equal opportunities to compete.
The president made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its president and Archbishop of Kaduna, Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.
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WE ARE STABILISING THE NATION, PROSPERITY ON THE HORIZON, PRESIDENT TINUBU TELLS CATHOLIC BISHOPS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, assured that the ongoing restructuring of security operations and institutions will deliver victory over… pic.twitter.com/cEm30vtxVJ
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Responding to concerns over the electoral process, Tinubu rejected allegations of favouritism, saying opposition figures raising such claims were driven by internal uncertainties rather than any actions by his administration.
According to him, INEC has not intimidated any political party and continues to operate impartially.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone,” Tinubu said in a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson.
“If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me.”
The president’s comments come after opposition parties repeatedly accused the electoral commission of undermining their activities in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
On security, Tinubu said his administration was strengthening intelligence gathering, restructuring security institutions and expanding the capacity of the armed forces to tackle terrorism and other threats.
He disclosed that approval had been given for the expansion of the military, including the procurement of additional equipment and the construction of new barracks, expressing confidence that the country would overcome terrorism.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity,” he said.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks.
“We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,”he added.
Addressing the economy, Tinubu said Nigeria had moved away from fears of bankruptcy and economic uncertainty, adding that conditions were improving and that the country was on the path to prosperity.
“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing,” the president said.
“The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.
“I always say, because of my background and profession, that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving, ”he said.
CBCN president Ndagoso commended Tinubu for receiving the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, during his recent visit to Nigeria.
The cleric also urged the president to consider the return of mission schools, ensure equal treatment for all worshippers and guarantee credible elections.
Ndagoso said Tinubu’s enduring legacy would be the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, recalling his role in the struggle against military rule and the restoration of democracy.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the cleric said.
