Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to prevent electoral malpractice in the 2027 general election, declaring that his camp would “rig those who rig” the polls.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obi made the statement on Wednesday during an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity, accountability and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
“Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also promised that, if elected president, he would ensure that nobody could manipulate election results in the country.
“And let me assure you, number two, if elected the president of Nigeria, nobody will rig the election in this country again,” Obi added.
He said strengthening political parties and improving electoral processes would be central to tackling electoral malpractice and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
The NDC presidential candidate also called for stricter enforcement of educational requirements for individuals seeking elective offices, insisting that candidates must have attended both primary and secondary school.
He warned that individuals who forged educational certificates or failed to meet the stipulated requirements should face legal consequences.
“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 further vowed to prosecute public officials and other individuals found guilty of electoral fraud under his administration, regardless of their positions.
“Any high-ranking official, anybody who is involved with the election, under my watch, that rigs the election, will go to jail,” he said.
He maintained that his administration would uphold the rule of law and ensure that no individual or public official was above accountability.
“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,” Obi said.
He added that his ambition was to transform Nigeria by strengthening public institutions, enforcing the law and ensuring accountability across all levels of government.
