President Bola Tinubu has dismissed concerns over the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the electoral umpire remains impartial and that opposition politicians raising alarm are merely “afraid of their own shadows.”

The president made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.

Responding to the bishops’ call for credible, free and fair elections in 2027, Tinubu maintained that INEC had not intimidated any political actor and would provide a level playing field for all contestants.

“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,’’ the president was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president’s comments came after Archbishop Ndagoso urged him to consolidate Nigeria’s democratic gains by ensuring transparent elections, describing such a legacy as befitting someone who played a key role in the country’s pro-democracy struggle during military rule.

“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the cleric said.

Beyond electoral matters, Tinubu assured the bishops that his administration was intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity through a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s security architecture.

According to him, the government is enhancing intelligence gathering, repositioning security institutions, improving logistics and welfare for security personnel, while also expanding the armed forces with additional equipment and new barracks.

“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons,” Tinubu said as he urged religious leaders to support government efforts by preaching against violence and extremism.

On the economy, the President said his administration had rescued Nigeria from looming bankruptcy, insisting that reforms introduced since he assumed office had stabilised the economy and placed the country on a path to prosperity.

“I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” he said.

“The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.”

Tinubu also highlighted progress in the education sector, pointing to the absence of prolonged industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as measures aimed at improving access to higher education.

“You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers?” he asked.

The president further reaffirmed his support for education as a tool for reducing poverty, saying the Federal Government had approved more universities to address the increasing demand for tertiary education.

On the issue of mission schools, Tinubu said state governors have the constitutional authority to determine whether such schools should be returned to their original owners, recalling that he restored mission schools while serving as governor of Lagos State.