President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that he is ready for a tough political battle ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he will “wrestle” his opponents to the finishing point and will not make it easy for anyone seeking to remove him from office.
The President also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral umpire remains neutral despite repeated criticisms from opposition politicians.
Tinubu made the remarks while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
His comments came as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, with major political parties already positioning themselves for what is expected to be one of the country’s most competitive presidential contests.
Addressing concerns raised during the meeting, Tinubu said politics is a contest in which every qualified candidate has an equal opportunity to compete, stressing that he would defend the mandate he sought from Nigerians.
“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,” the President said.
Responding to comments about the role of the electoral commission, Tinubu dismissed claims that INEC favours the ruling party.
According to him, the commission has not intimidated any political actor and should not be blamed for the challenges facing opposition parties.
“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,” he said.
The President further stated that while he welcomes political competition, he would not hand any advantage to his opponents.
“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,” Tinubu declared.
His remarks amount to one of his strongest public statements so far on the 2027 presidential race and are likely to shape political discussions in the coming months.
Although the election is still months away, political alignments have intensified across the country, with opposition leaders forming alliances and holding consultations aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu is expected to seek a second term on the platform of the APC.
Among the leading figures expected to challenge him are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Other political parties are also expected to field candidates before the election.
The President’s defence of INEC comes amid growing debates over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Opposition parties have, in recent years, repeatedly questioned the conduct of elections and called for reforms to improve transparency and public confidence in the electoral system.
Following the 2023 general election, several opposition candidates challenged the outcome in court, alleging irregularities in the electoral process. However, the courts upheld Tinubu’s election after hearing the various petitions.
INEC has consistently maintained that it is an independent institution guided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. The commission has repeatedly assured Nigerians that it will continue to conduct free, fair and credible elections without favour to any political party.
Preparations for the 2027 polls are already underway.
According to the election timetable released by INEC, the presidential election, along with elections into the Senate and the House of Representatives, is scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027.
Governorship elections and polls into the various state Houses of Assembly are expected to follow on February 6, 2027.
The electoral commission has also continued with voter registration and other preparatory activities aimed at ensuring eligible Nigerians are able to participate in the elections.
Tinubu’s administration has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, saying they are necessary to rebuild the economy despite the hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
The opposition, however, has continued to criticise the government’s handling of the economy, rising inflation, unemployment and the cost of living, promising alternative policies if elected.
Against this backdrop, the President’s latest comments signal that the APC is preparing for an intense campaign and is confident of retaining power.
His meeting with the Catholic Bishops also highlighted the importance of engagement between government and religious leaders on national issues.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria is one of the country’s leading religious organisations and regularly speaks on governance, security, the economy, elections and national unity. Its leaders often use such meetings with government officials to raise concerns about the welfare of Nigerians and the state of the nation.
Tinubu’s assurance that INEC is neutral and his declaration that he is ready for a political contest are expected to attract reactions from opposition parties, civil society organisations and election observers as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.