‘INEC Never Intimidated Opposition’ — Tinubu Speaks on Nigeria’s Electoral Process

The President’s comments come amid growing accusations from some opposition figures over the role of the electoral commission in recent political developments.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that “all is fair in politics,” claiming that every political actor enjoys equal opportunities and maintaining that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has remained neutral without intimidating any individual or political party.

The President made the remarks while speaking with Catholic Bishops in Abuja, where he dismissed suggestions that political opponents were being unfairly treated ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“All is fair in politics, and everyone has equal opportunities. INEC is neutral and has never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the company they keep — not me,” Tinubu said.

The President’s comments come amid growing accusations from some opposition figures over the role of the electoral commission in recent political developments.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, of deliberately fuelling the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bid to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku further alleged that the electoral commission’s actions were designed to advance what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s “agenda of total state capture,” warning that INEC’s handling of the ADC leadership dispute could trigger fresh instability within the opposition party.

The allegations were contained in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, and signed by the Atiku Media Office.

The former Vice President’s reaction followed a claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who identifies himself as the National Chairman of the ADC, that he had successfully uploaded the names of the party’s candidates onto INEC’s portal.

According to Atiku, the uploading of candidates’ names to the commission’s portal is part of the statutory process for the 2027 general elections and can only be carried out through access codes issued by INEC to registered political parties in accordance with its guidelines.

He questioned why such an access code was allegedly granted to Gombe despite insisting that the commission had already recognised Senator David Mark as the leader of the party’s validly constituted national executive.

He added, “Prof Joash Amupitan should quit formenting crisis in the ADC and the other opposition parties and, by so doing helping President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of total state capture.”

Tinubu’s latest remarks appear to directly counter such allegations, with the President maintaining that the electoral process remains open to all contestants and that no individual or party is being singled out for intimidation.

By insisting that INEC is neutral and that “everyone has equal opportunities,” the President sought to play down alarms raised over the commission’s alleged impartiality while suggesting that complaints from some opponents may stem from internal political challenges rather than actions by the electoral body.

The exchange highlights the continuing political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ruling party and opposition figures offering sharply contrasting narratives over the conduct and independence of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.