President Bola Tinubu has thrown down the gauntlet to his political opponents, declaring that anyone who wants to snatch the presidency from him in 2027 must be ready for a fierce battle.
Tinubu, who has made no secret of his intention to seek re-election, warned that he would not make the race easy for his challengers.
“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.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday when he received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its president, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.
The president also dismissed opposition concerns about the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral body had not intimidated any political party.
He said those questioning INEC’s neutrality might simply be afraid of the political uncertainty surrounding them.
“INEC, you mentioned, is neutral. They’ve never, 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,” Tinubu said.
He then delivered his strongest warning yet to those plotting to unseat him.
“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 declared.
Tinubu: Nigeria is getting better
Defending his administration’s record, Tinubu also insisted that Nigerians’ quality of life was improving despite the economic and security challenges inherited by his government.
He said his administration remained committed to building a united, stable and prosperous country for future generations.
“The quality of life is improving. Our founding fathers did their best; they lived for the nation, and we owe it to our generations yet unborn to build the nation of unity, stability and prosperity for the future, to educate our people,” he said.
The president also pointed to the absence of a strike by university lecturers as one of the signs of progress under his administration.
“None of your children in the university today, and I will say all of them are your children, the reverend fathers.
“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.
On insecurity, Tinubu admitted that serious challenges remained but insisted that his administration was confronting them.
“The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country, but here, this Nigeria,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain committed to the country, saying the nation could overcome its challenges despite its complexity and diversity.
“And then we revert to our national anthem. In this complexity, diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all of us, as humanity,” he said.
Tinubu concluded by insisting that he had not shied away from the problems he inherited.
“The challenges are there. I inherited it. I didn’t run away,” he added.
