The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to resist attempts to manipulate the 2027 general elections, declaring that his camp will “rig those who rig it”.
Obi made the statement on Wednesday during a town hall meeting with party supporters in Nasarawa State, where he outlined his plans to tackle electoral malpractice and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said his administration, if elected, would strengthen political parties and reform the electoral process to prevent election rigging.
“And let me assure you, number two, if elected the president of Nigeria, nobody will rig the election in this country again,” he said.
Obi also promised to prosecute anyone found guilty of electoral fraud, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other public officers involved in manipulating election results.
“Any high-ranking official, anybody who is involved with the election, under my watch, that rigs the election, will go to jail,” he declared.
He said his administration would enforce the law without favour, insisting that no individual would be above accountability, regardless of their position.
“Under my watch, Nigeria must be a country that has a law and votes from number one person to the last person must obey the rule of law. Nobody will be above the law. Nobody will behave rascally,” he said.
The NDC candidate also called for stricter enforcement of educational requirements for candidates seeking elective offices.
He argued that anyone seeking political office should have attended primary and secondary school, warning that those who forged certificates or falsely claimed to possess the required qualifications should face imprisonment.
“For you to contest the election, you must have attended a primary school, you must have attended a secondary school, and it will be visible, it will be clear,” he said.
Obi said his proposed approach was part of a broader effort to strengthen public institutions, promote accountability and ensure that the rule of law applied equally to all Nigerians.
He maintained that his ambition was driven by the need to change the country and build a system in which electoral laws were respected and public officials held accountable for their actions.
Obi has repeatedly pledged to punish electoral offenders if elected president in 2027.
In September, he said anyone found guilty of rigging elections under his administration would face imprisonment, even if the manipulation involved a single vote.
“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” he said in an interview with Arise News.
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