Those Who Want To Take Power From Me Must Fight For It – Tinubu

By Paul Joseph

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that anyone seeking to take power from him in the 2027 presidential election must be prepared for a tough political battle, insisting he will not surrender his mandate without a contest.

Speaking while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu said the next presidential election would be decided through democratic competition, stressing that he was ready to defend his office at the polls.

“I asked for this job. Those who want to take it from me will have to fight for it. Politics is about competition, and we will wrestle to the finish,” the President said.

Responding to concerns over Nigeria’s electoral process, Tinubu dismissed allegations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was intimidating opposition parties.

According to him, the electoral commission has remained impartial, arguing that opposition parties are grappling with internal crises rather than external interference.

He maintained that those accusing INEC of bias were reacting to uncertainties within their own political camps, insisting the commission had treated all parties fairly.

The President also defended his administration’s performance, saying ongoing reforms were beginning to deliver tangible results despite economic and security challenges.

He pointed to the stability in Nigeria’s public universities as one of the government’s achievements, noting that the absence of prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had helped restore confidence in the education sector.

According to Tinubu, students can now complete their programmes within the expected duration without disruptions caused by industrial actions.

On national security, Tinubu acknowledged that the country continues to face serious challenges but stressed that his administration inherited many of the problems and remains committed to tackling them.

He urged Nigerians to remain united and optimistic, expressing confidence that continued reforms and collective efforts would strengthen the country’s stability, unity and prosperity.

The meeting with the Catholic bishops provided an opportunity for discussions on governance, national development, security and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revised lead now directly reflects the headline by emphasising Tinubu’s warning that anyone seeking to remove him from office will have to “fight” through the democratic process, making the opening stronger and more consistent with the story.