President Bola Tinubu has declared that he is prepared for a fierce political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he will not make it easy for his opponents to unseat him.

The president made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Responding to concerns raised over Nigeria’s political environment and the role of the electoral umpire, Tinubu maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains neutral and has not intimidated any political actor.

According to him, criticisms from opposition figures stem from their own political uncertainties rather than any bias on the part of the electoral body.

“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.

“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.

“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 said.

Tinubu’s comments come as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, with major parties positioning themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested presidential race.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on February 6, 2027.

Tinubu is expected to seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with leading opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, among those widely expected to challenge for the nation’s highest office.