President Bola Tinubu has declared that he is prepared to fiercely contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he will not make it easy for his political opponents.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.
The President also defended the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, insisting that the electoral body has remained impartial.
“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.
Responding to concerns about the electoral process, he maintained that INEC has not intimidated any political party or candidate.
“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 company they keep, not me,” he said.
The President stressed that he would vigorously defend his mandate and compete until the end of the electoral contest.
“I’m ready, but I won’t give them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me. No, we will wrestle each other to the finishing point,” he added.
Nigeria’s 2027 general election will begin with the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to follow on February 6, 2027.
Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is expected to face major challengers, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
