Tinubu Vows Fierce Contest for 2027 Re-election, Defends Reforms Before Catholic Bishops

President Bola Tinubu has declared that he will actively defend his mandate in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, warning political rivals that he will not hand over power without a fight.

Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President emphasized that political competition is a core element of democracy and stated that he expects a tough contest from his opponents.

Reflecting on the political landscape, the President remarked that while all is fair in politics, he would not offer rivals an easy path to victory, noting that all parties would have to contest the election to the very end. He also addressed criticisms regarding the electoral process, describing the Independent National Electoral Commission as neutral and dismissing allegations of bias raised by opposition figures.

During the hour-long meeting, President Tinubu defended his administration’s economic policies, asserting that three years of difficult reforms are beginning to yield positive results. He pointed to the ongoing stability in tertiary education, specifically noting the uninterrupted academic calendar and the absence of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, as a direct benefit felt by Nigerian families.

While acknowledging that his administration inherited significant economic challenges from the previous government, the President assured the delegation that national economic stabilization has been achieved and that living standards are set to improve.

Addressing the bishops’ concerns regarding the return of mission schools to their original church proprietors, the President clarified that authority over the matter rests with state governments rather than the federal administration. He urged the religious leaders to engage state governors directly, highlighting his own precedent of returning mission schools during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

On matters of national security and unity, President Tinubu described the country’s ongoing security concerns as a generational challenge, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a stable, prosperous, and united nation for future generations.

The delegation of Catholic bishops, led by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, concluded the consultative visit following discussions on national development and social welfare.