By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would remain free to conduct the 2027 general elections without interference, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has disclosed.
Onaiyekan made the disclosure on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC 2026) organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu.
He recalled the meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic bishops at the State House in Abuja on July 28, 2026, where the bishops raised concerns about the credibility of the 2027 elections.
According to Onaiyekan, the President assured the bishops that INEC was independent and would be allowed to perform its constitutional responsibilities.
“The President told us that he had made INEC free and that he won’t interfere in its work. INEC, it is now left for you to be free and act accordingly and prove that you are free. We are watching,” Onaiyekan said.
During the July meeting, the bishops called for free, fair and credible elections in 2027 and stressed the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
President Tinubu, in response, said INEC was neutral and that all political parties would have equal opportunities in the electoral process.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone,” the President said, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu also dismissed concerns raised by political opponents about possible manipulation of the electoral process, saying he was prepared for a competitive election in 2027.
“I asked for this job. I’m in it. Those who will take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and it’s equal opportunity,” he said.
However, while speaking at the Editors’ Conference, Onaiyekan raised broader concerns about the independence of INEC and Nigeria’s electoral system.
He argued that the process for appointing the INEC chairman and commissioners should be reviewed to strengthen the commission’s independence from the executive.
Onaiyekan also called for wider electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections, including measures to improve the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
The 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference, holding in Enugu on September 24 and 25, is themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with a sub-theme focused on detecting and debunking artificial intelligence-driven disinformation before, during and after elections.
The CBCN delegation that met President Tinubu in July included Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, Most Rev. Alfred Martins, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin and Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, among others.
