President Bola Tinubu has said his political opponents are “crying wolf” because they are not confident in their ability to beat him in the 2027 poll.
Tinubu, who expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct a credible election, said the electoral body had remained neutral and had not intimidated any political actor.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso.
Quoting him, “The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me.”
The meeting also focused on security, the economy, education, poverty and national unity.
Tinubu assured the bishops that the ongoing restructuring of security operations and institutions would strengthen the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
He said the security architecture was being repositioned through enhanced intelligence gathering, institutional reforms, improved logistics and better welfare for security personnel.
The president urged religious leaders to support government efforts by preaching against violence and encouraging peaceful coexistence.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,” he said.
On the economy, Tinubu said his administration had stabilised the country after inheriting serious fiscal challenges.
“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.
“I always say, because of my background and profession, that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths, churches, to give hope to people and give commitment to humanity in the true sense of it. Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,” he added.
Tinubu said unity, stability and prosperity must remain the collective goal of all Nigerians.
He also pointed to the absence of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as evidence of improved stability in the education sector.
“To educate our children, I can say your children because you are revered fathers. You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers? For me, that’s answered prayer,” he said.
On the return of mission schools, Tinubu said state governors had the constitutional authority to make such decisions.
“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he stated.
He added that his administration had approved more universities to expand access to higher education and support the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“I believe in what you believe; we should embrace education to get out of poverty,” he said.
Earlier, the CBCN President, Ndagoso, commended Tinubu for receiving the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Ndagoso, who is the Archbishop of Kaduna, raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, credible elections and the need to sustain Nigeria’s democratic gains.
He also appealed to the president to support the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment of all worshippers across the country.
He called for free and fair elections in 2027, saying: “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”
(The Whistler)
