Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday assured the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) that his administration was repositioning the country’s security architecture to defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while insisting that the economy had stabilised and prosperity was on the horizon.
The President also defended the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing allegations that the political space was being constricted.
Tinubu gave the assurances while receiving the leadership of the CBCN, led by its President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting came as the Catholic bishops raised concerns over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, shrinking democratic space and the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Responding to the bishops’ submissions, Tinubu said his administration had intensified intelligence gathering, restructured security institutions, improved logistics and prioritised the welfare of security personnel to address insecurity.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism.”
He urged religious leaders to complement government efforts by preaching against violence and encouraging national unity.
On the economy, the President maintained that his administration had rescued Nigeria from the brink of economic collapse.
“I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered,” he said.
“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.”
Tinubu also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as one of the administration’s interventions to improve access to higher education and noted that industrial harmony in public universities had improved.
“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,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the 2027 elections, Tinubu rejected suggestions that the electoral process would be manipulated.
“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows,” the President said.
On the bishops’ request for the return of mission schools, Tinubu said the responsibility rested with state governments under the Constitution, recalling that he returned mission schools while serving as governor of Lagos State.
Earlier, Ndagoso urged the President to ensure that the 2027 general elections were transparent, free and credible, warning that anything short of that could lead to avoidable national crisis.
The bishops expressed concern over what they described as growing fears about the shrinking democratic space and the future of opposition politics, urging Tinubu to protect democratic institutions and guarantee a level playing field for all political parties.
They also called for adequate and timely funding of INEC, easier access to Permanent Voter Cards for eligible Nigerians and election results that genuinely reflect the will of the electorate.
The CBCN further lamented persistent insecurity across the country, saying terrorism, banditry and kidnappings continued to threaten lives and undermine Nigeria’s standing.
While commending the government for the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, the bishops described the achievement as one of only a few bright spots amid widespread insecurity.
They also decried the economic hardship facing Nigerians, the poor state of infrastructure and challenges in the power sector, saying many citizens were yet to feel the promised benefits of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The bishops further appealed to the President to address concerns among Christians over inclusiveness, consider the return of mission schools to their original proprietors and ensure equal protection of religious freedom across the country.
They also requested that Tinubu invite Pope Leo XIV to visit Nigeria, saying such a visit would strengthen national prayers for peace, unity and reconciliation.
Ndagoso reminded the President of his pro-democracy credentials, saying, “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”
