2027: I won’t hand over power without a political fight — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that he will not relinquish power without a political fight ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he is prepared to battle his opponents to the very end in a fair democratic contest.

Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in 2027, made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

His major challengers include the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi.

Speaking on the forthcoming election, the President said those hoping to defeat him should be prepared for a tough contest because he would not make the path easy for them.

“Those who would take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and there is equal opportunity.

“I won’t offer them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me at home.

“No, we will wrestle each other to the finishing point. That’s the truth. That is fair in politics,” Tinubu said.

The President also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against allegations of favouring the ruling party, insisting that the electoral body has remained neutral.

He dismissed criticisms from opposition politicians.

“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anybody. If political opponents are crying wolf, then they are afraid of their own shadows and the uncertainty in the company they keep,” he said.

Tinubu further defended the performance of his administration, saying difficult reforms introduced over the past three years were beginning to yield positive results.

According to him, one of the administration’s major achievements is the uninterrupted academic calendar in public universities.

He noted that the absence of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since he assumed office has enabled students to complete their programmes without prolonged disruptions.

“None of your children in university today, and I would say they are all your children because you are Reverend Fathers, can say a four-year course is not 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 said.

The President maintained that his government had stabilised the economy despite inheriting significant challenges from the previous administration, adding that he accepted responsibility for addressing them.

“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. The quality of life is improving.

“I inherited it. I didn’t run away. I asked for this job. I’m in it,” Tinubu said.

On the long-standing demand by the Catholic Church for the return of mission schools, Tinubu said the responsibility rests with state governments since education falls under their jurisdiction.

He recalled that he returned mission schools while serving as Governor of Lagos State and urged the bishops to engage governors across the country.

“The schools are in the states. Preach to them, the governors of your states. They do the job.

“There is no need for a constitutional amendment for that. That is part of democracy. Choice,” he stated.

Addressing the country’s security situation and national unity, Tinubu acknowledged that Nigeria continues to face significant challenges but expressed confidence that the nation would overcome them.

“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but here.

“This Nigeria. And we revert to our national anthem in its complexity and diversity; we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all of us.

“Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to our generations yet unborn to build a nation of unity, stability and prosperity for the future,” the President added.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, met with the President for about an hour at the Presidential Villa, where they discussed national issues, education, governance and security.

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