BREAKING: Bishops Tell President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria CBCN has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027 and to consider return of mission schools.

President of CBCN, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, made call on Tuesday when he led bishops on Courtesy Visit to President at State House, Abuja.

"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," Archbishop Ndagoso told President Tinubu.

Ndagoso outlined areas of concern including insecurity, quality tertiary education and limited admission spaces, sustaining gains of democracy, credible elections, poverty and fair treatment for all worshippers including provision of worship places in all parts of country without bias.

He also thanked President for warm reception extended to Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, on occasion of 50th anniversary of relations between Nigeria and Vatican.

Responding, President Tinubu defended INEC, saying electoral body is neutral.

"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," Tinubu said.

President assured that ongoing restructuring of security operations will deliver victory over terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.

"We don't have another country but this Nigeria. I have just approved expansion of armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons," he said.

On economy, President said, "I have listened to you carefully. Country has been placed on sound footing. Economy has recovered. Alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed. Economy has been delivered from bankruptcy. There is prosperity on horizon. Life is improving. He said...... continue reading 

On mission schools, President said decision lies with state governors, noting "I returned all mission schools when I was governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that."