Catholic Bishops Meet Tinubu, Demand Fair Elections

President Tinubu met with the leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House. He said Nigeria's security system is being improved for better performance.

Mr. Ndagoso, who is the Archbishop of Kaduna, attended the meeting with 19 other CBCN leaders.

Tinubu explained that the government is tackling security issues through better intelligence, restructuring security agencies, improving logistics, and focusing on the welfare of security personnel.

He urged the CBCN and other religious leaders to speak out against violence, guide their followers, and support government efforts to end insurgency.

“We don’t have another country but here, this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity.

“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,” the president said.

On the issue of poverty, President Tinubu assured that the government will continue programs that directly help families and citizens, such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed.

“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.

“I always say, because of my background and profession, that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

The president encouraged citizens to take advantage of opportunities offered by the government and private sectors. He urged them to embrace education, entrepreneurship, and skill acquisition.

“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths, churches, to give hope to people and give commitment to humanity in the true sense of it. Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,” the president added.

President Tinubu stressed that everyone must uphold the unity, stability, and prosperity of Nigeria.

“To educate our children, I can say your children because you are revered fathers. 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. Is that not an answer to our prayers? For me, that’s answered prayer,” he noted.

The president said the outlook for the country must stay positive.

Regarding the upcoming elections, he said INEC has been 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.”

The president told the CBCN leaders that state governors have the power to decide on the return of mission schools.

“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he said.

President Tinubu confirmed that more universities have been approved to meet the growing demand for higher education. The statistics from the NUC will assist in budgeting for NELFUND.

“I believe in what you believe; we should embrace education to get out of poverty,” he said.

In his response, Mr. Ndagoso thanked President Tinubu for the warm welcome given to Archbishop Paul Gallagher during the 50th anniversary of relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

Mr. Ndagoso raised issues affecting the country, including security, quality education, democracy, credible elections, and poverty.

He also urged President Tinubu to think about the return of mission schools and fair treatment for all worshippers, including providing places of worship across the country without bias.

The Archbishop of Kaduna called for free and fair elections in 2027.

“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,” the archbishop said.