NASARAWA, Nigeria — The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to prosecute and imprison anyone involved in manipulating the 2027 general elections, declaring that his camp will “rig those who rig” the polls.
Obi made the declaration on Wednesday at an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he outlined his proposed measures to tackle electoral malpractice and enforce accountability if elected president, Daily Trust reports.
“Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” the former Anambra State governor said.
He said his administration would enforce the rule of law without discrimination, insisting that no individual would be above the law, regardless of position or status.
“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.
The NDC candidate also pledged to strengthen the country’s electoral system to prevent vote manipulation and ensure that those who interfere with the process face legal consequences.
He reiterated his commitment to ending election rigging, warning that political officeholders and electoral officials found culpable would be prosecuted and jailed.
“And let me assure you, number two, if elected the president of Nigeria, nobody will rig the election in this country again,” he said.
“Any high-ranking official, anybody who is involved with the election, under my watch, that rigs the election, will go to jail,” Obi added.
Beyond electoral integrity, the presidential aspirant called for stricter enforcement of educational requirements for candidates seeking elective offices.
He insisted that anyone seeking political office must have attended both primary and secondary school, saying compliance with the requirement should be clearly established.
“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,” Obi said.
