President Bola Tinubu has dismissed concerns over the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting the electoral body remains impartial ahead of the 2027 general election.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.
Responding to opposition criticism, Tinubu maintained that INEC has treated all political parties fairly and has not intimidated any contestant.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. 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 said.
Tinubu also expressed confidence that ongoing reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture would produce decisive victories against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
According to him, the Federal Government is strengthening intelligence gathering, restructuring security institutions, improving logistics and enhancing the welfare of frontline personnel to boost security operations across the country.
He urged the Catholic Bishops and other religious leaders to support the campaign for peace by speaking against violence and promoting national unity.
“We don’t have another country but 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.
“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,” Tinubu said.
On the economy, the President said his administration had pulled Nigeria away from severe fiscal challenges, adding that the reforms introduced since he assumed office were beginning to deliver positive results.
“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 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.
Tinubu reiterated that education and security remain central to his administration’s agenda, highlighting interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as part of efforts to reduce poverty and expand access to higher education.
Addressing the issue of mission schools, the President said the decision to return them rests with state governors under the Constitution, while recalling that he restored mission schools during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he said.
Earlier, CBCN President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, appreciated Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the celebration marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso, however, expressed concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, democratic governance and the need for credible elections.
He urged the President to consider the return of mission schools and ensure equal treatment for all religious groups, including the provision of worship centres without discrimination.
The Archbishop of Kaduna also called on Tinubu to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions by guaranteeing free, fair and credible 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,” Ndagoso said.
