President Bola Tinubu has defended the conduct of Nigeria’s electoral process, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not intimidate opposition parties during elections and describing politics as a contest in which every participant must be prepared to compete.
Speaking during an engagement with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the President dismissed allegations that his administration had used state institutions to suppress political opponents, maintaining that democratic competition should not be mistaken for political persecution.
Tinubu told the bishops that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that political parties are expected to organise, mobilise and persuade voters within the framework of the law. He rejected suggestions that INEC or other government institutions had been deployed to undermine opposition parties, insisting that the electoral umpire carried out its constitutional responsibilities without intimidation.
The President’s remarks come amid sustained criticism from opposition politicians and civil society groups, some of whom have questioned the credibility of recent elections and accused government institutions of failing to provide a level playing field for all political actors. Those allegations have repeatedly been denied by the Federal Government and electoral authorities.
Tinubu also stressed the importance of preserving Nigeria’s democratic system through peaceful political participation, urging political leaders and citizens alike to embrace dialogue rather than division. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions while promoting national unity and religious harmony.
The meeting with the Catholic bishops formed part of the President’s wider engagement with religious leaders, whom he described as critical partners in promoting peace, tolerance and national cohesion across the country.
