The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned against electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying anyone found guilty of rigging elections under his administration would face prosecution if he wins the presidency.
Obi spoke on Wednesday at 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 next general election.
“You didn’t ask about what we are going to do if people rig election next year. Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” Obi said.
He added that, if elected president, he would work to prevent election rigging by strengthening political parties and reforming the electoral process.
“And let me assure you number two, if I’m elected the President of Nigeria, nobody will rig election in this country again because the first thing we need to do is to strengthen our parties, strengthen the process,” he said.
Obi also called for stricter eligibility requirements for political candidates, arguing that anyone seeking elective office should have attended primary and secondary school.
“Our laws will be strict. For you to contest 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.
He warned that anyone who had not attended the required schools or forged academic certificates would face imprisonment.
“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate extended the warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others involved in election administration, saying anyone found guilty of rigging 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 said his proposed approach would be guided by the rule of law, insisting that everyone, regardless of position, must be held accountable.
“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,” he said.
“Nobody must be above the law; nobody will behave rascally,” he added.
He said his political ambition was driven by a desire to transform the country and build a system in which electoral rules 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 said.
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