President Bola Tinubu has defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing concerns over the electoral body’s neutrality and accusing political opponents of raising unfounded allegations.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president spoke after the Catholic bishops urged his administration to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, describing credible polls as one of the legacies expected from his government.

Responding, the president insisted that INEC had remained impartial and had not intimidated any political party or candidate.

“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 company they keep, not me,” Tinubu said.

The president also assured the bishops that his administration was strengthening the country’s security architecture to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping through improved intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, and enhanced welfare for security personnel.

“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,” he said.

On the economy, Tinubu maintained that the country had recovered from the financial challenges his administration inherited and expressed confidence that better days lie ahead.

“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

He also highlighted the absence of prolonged industrial actions by university lecturers, saying students could now complete their programmes within the expected duration.

“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,” the president added.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for an amendment to the Electoral Act to require political parties to conclude their primary elections at least one year before general elections.

Amupitan said the proposal would give political parties sufficient time to resolve disputes arising from candidate nominations, thereby reducing election-related litigation.

According to a statement posted on INEC’s X handle on Tuesday, Amupitan made the call while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023) in Abuja.

He explained that resolving party primary disputes well before elections would allow the electoral commission to focus on its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible polls rather than addressing conflicts originating from political parties.

According to Amupitan, most election-related litigation stems from disagreements over party primaries rather than issues arising during elections themselves.

“Most election-related legal disputes begin long before Nigerians cast their votes. If political parties conclude their primaries early and conduct them in a transparent, credible and inclusive manner, it will go a long way in reducing unnecessary litigation,” Amupitan said.

He said political parties could only strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by respecting their constitutions, adhering to their rules and providing members with a genuine opportunity to choose candidates.

Amupitan warned that the imposition of candidates, lack of transparency during party primaries and disregard for party guidelines had continued to fuel avoidable pre-election court cases, weaken public confidence and undermine the country’s electoral process.

“Strengthening internal democracy within political parties is as important as strengthening the nation’s electoral institutions,” he said.

He added that credible elections begin with credible candidate selection.

Amupitan also called for constitutional and electoral reforms to grant INEC greater financial autonomy to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

He noted that although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge, the commission still operates under the annual budget system, which limits its operational efficiency.

To address the challenge, he proposed that INEC’s funding should come directly from the Federation Account, enabling the commission to conduct voter registration, regulate political parties and organise elections without unnecessary administrative delays.

​The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has fired back at the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for demanding President Bola Tinubu’s resignation.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda, said Tinubu it not tired as Obi had said.

He questioned the basis for describing the president as exhausted, insisting that Tinubu continues to work tirelessly while delivering key projects across the country.

“Let me put it this way, especially to Obi, who claimed that Tinubu is tired—is he (Tinubu) going for boxing or 400 metres?

“Are you telling me that the President who stays and works from morning till night is tired? These are the issues we are talking about,” he said.

According to him, millions of Nigerians benefiting from the administration’s policies would not support calls for Tinubu to retire from office.

It will be recalled that Obi had on national television said that Tinubu was tired and needs to retire and go home.