President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral body has not intimidated any political party in the country.
The president stated this on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja. The delegation was led by the President of the Conference and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
Responding to concerns raised by the bishops on governance, security and the political environment ahead of the 2027 general election, Tinubu said his administration remains committed to tackling the challenges it inherited.
He said the Federal Government has continued to invest in strengthening the nation’s security architecture through the recruitment of more personnel, construction of military barracks and the provision of modern equipment to security agencies to combat terrorism.
“I don’t run away from what I inherited. I inherited the challenges. Am I doing something about it? Yes. I can tell you I am doing something about it and there are resources to recruit them, build new barracks, arm them and defeat terrorism,” the president said.
On the electoral process, Tinubu rejected allegations of bias against INEC, maintaining that the commission has remained impartial in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
He said Nigeria’s democratic system guarantees equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates, stressing that claims of intimidation by the electoral umpire were unfounded.
“All is fair in politics and it’s equal opportunity. INEC, you mentioned, are neutral. They have never ever intimidated anybody,” he said.
The president also took a swipe at opposition parties, suggesting that those questioning the credibility of the electoral process were grappling with internal political challenges rather than any action by the electoral commission.
“If political opponents are crying wolves, maybe they are afraid of their own shadow and uncertainty in the company they keep,” Tinubu added.
Responding, the President of the CBCN appreciated the President for the warm reception extended to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso outlined areas of concern in the country, which include security, quality tertiary education and limited spaces, sustaining gains of democracy, credible elections and poverty.
The President of CBCN also urged President Tinubu to consider the return of mission schools and fair treatment for all worshipers, including the provision of worship places in all parts of the country, without bias.
The Archbishop of Kaduna called for free and fair elections in 2027.
“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 Archbishop said.
