2027: OBI PLEDGES TO END ELECTION RIGGING IF ELECTED PRESIDENT

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has vowed to ensure that anyone found guilty of electoral fraud faces imprisonment if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the declaration on Wednesday during an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

Responding to a question about election rigging, the former Anambra State governor said his party would not allow electoral manipulation to go unchallenged in the forthcoming general election.

“You didn’t ask about what we are going to do if people rig the election next year. Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” he said.

He added that, if elected president, his administration would take measures to prevent electoral fraud by strengthening political parties and improving the electoral process.

“And let me assure you, number two, if I’m elected the President of Nigeria, nobody will rig elections in this country again because the first thing we need to do is to strengthen our parties, strengthen the process,” Obi stated.

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The NDC candidate also advocated stricter legal requirements for individuals seeking elective office, arguing that candidates should be required to demonstrate that they attended primary and secondary schools.

“Our laws will be strict. For you to contest an 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 warned that anyone who failed to meet the proposed educational requirements or forged academic certificates would face imprisonment.

“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” he added.

The former governor extended his warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other individuals involved in election administration, insisting that anyone found guilty of manipulating elections under his administration would be prosecuted.

“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail,” he declared.

Obi stressed that his administration would uphold the rule of law and ensure that no individual, regardless of position, was above the law.

“Under my watch, Nigeria must be a country that has a law, and both from the number one person to the last person must obey the rule of law.

“Nobody must be above the law; nobody will behave rascally,” he said.

He maintained that his presidential ambition was driven by the desire to transform Nigeria and establish a system where electoral laws and democratic principles were respected.

“That’s why we are doing what we are doing. We want to change Nigeria. A new Nigeria is possible, and that new Nigeria will be OK,” Obi added.