President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that anyone seeking to unseat him in the 2027 elections must be prepared to “wrestle” him to the finish.
The president spoke while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House, Abuja.
He said “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.
He also defended the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing concerns raised by opposition parties over the electoral process.
“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve 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.
“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,” he added.
Tinubu also said the quality of life in the country was improving despite prevailing challenges, maintaining that his administration inherited significant economic and governance burdens from its predecessor.
“The quality of life is improving. Our founding fathers did their best; they lived for the nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to build a nation of unity, stability and prosperity,” he said.
The President cited the stability of the academic calendar as one of his administration’s achievements, noting that universities had remained open without prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“You can’t 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?” he asked.
On insecurity, Tinubu acknowledged the country’s challenges but insisted his administration remained committed to addressing them.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but Nigeria… The challenges are there. I inherited them. I didn’t run away,” he said.
(Ripples)