President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he will vigorously contest the 2027 presidential election, saying he will not surrender power without a democratic political contest and that anyone seeking to unseat him must be prepared for a fair fight.
President Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja.
Responding to concerns about the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections, the President insisted that democracy guarantees equal opportunities for all contestants but stressed that he would not make the path to the presidency easy for his political opponents.
‘We’ll Wrestle to the Finishing Line’
Tinubu said those hoping to take over power from him are free to contest, but they should expect a competitive political battle.
According to the President:
“Those who want to take it from me will try. I won’t offer them a red carpet… We will wrestle ourselves to the finishing line. That is fair in politics.”
He maintained that politics is inherently competitive and that every candidate should rely on the democratic process rather than expect concessions from opponents.
Defends Electoral Process
During the meeting, Tinubu also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral umpire remains neutral.
He rejected allegations by some opposition politicians that the commission favours the ruling party, saying those making such claims were merely “crying wolf.”
Remarks Made During Meeting With Catholic Bishops
The President’s comments came during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by its president, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso.
The meeting also focused on governance, economic reforms, education and national security, with Tinubu expressing confidence that his administration’s policies are beginning to yield results.