President Bola Tinubu has declared that he will vigorously contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he would not relinquish power without a political fight as he expressed confidence in securing a second term.
Tinubu made the declaration on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President, who was responding to concerns over Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, maintained that every contestant had an equal opportunity to seek elective office but stressed that he would not make the contest easy for his challengers.
“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.
Declaring his readiness for the next presidential contest, he added, “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 the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, dismissing allegations by opposition parties that the electoral umpire was intimidating political opponents.
According to him, INEC has remained impartial in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, arguing that the opposition’s concerns stem from internal crises rather than external interference.
“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 said.
Tinubu further defended his administration’s performance, insisting that despite prevailing economic and security challenges, his government’s reforms were beginning to produce positive results.
He pointed to the stability of the nation’s university academic calendar, saying the absence of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities was one of the notable achievements of his administration.
“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.
The President noted that Nigerian students could now complete their programmes within the stipulated period without disruptions caused by prolonged industrial actions.
“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. Is that not an answer to our prayers? To me, that’s an answer,” he stated.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged that the country still faced significant challenges but said his administration remained committed to tackling insecurity while preserving national unity.
“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,” the President said.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and united despite the country’s socio-economic difficulties, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms would place the nation on a stronger path to stability and prosperity.
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