President Bola Tinubu has defended the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting the electoral body remains neutral ahead of the 2027 general election and dismissing concerns by opposition parties over the credibility of the polls.

Speaking on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja, the President said allegations that INEC was being influenced by the Federal Government were unfounded, arguing that opposition parties were merely expressing fears stemming from internal uncertainties.

Tinubu maintained that the electoral commission had never intimidated any political actor and declared that he was prepared to face any challenger in the 2027 presidential election.

“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.

“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never, never intimidated anybody. If political opponents are crying wolf, 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.”

The President also defended his administration’s performance, saying Nigerians were beginning to experience improvements despite the economic and governance challenges inherited from previous administrations.

According to him, his government remains committed to building a more stable and prosperous country while addressing long-standing national challenges.

Tinubu cited the uninterrupted academic calendar in public universities as one of the administration’s key achievements, noting that the absence of prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had spared families the disruption that previously characterised the education sector.

“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? To me, that’s an answer,” he said.

The President acknowledged that insecurity and other challenges persist but insisted his administration remained determined to tackle 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 added.

Earlier, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, commended Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

Ndagoso, however, expressed concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, the need to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic gains and the importance of conducting credible elections in 2027.

He also appealed to the President to consider the return of mission schools, ensure equal treatment of all worshippers regardless of faith, and guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections in the next general election.