…Vows To Jail Electoral Offenders, Promises Crackdown On Certificate Forgery
…Says No One Will Be Above The Law Under His Presidency
Ayomide Awe
The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to resist electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that his camp will “rig those who rig” the polls.
Obi made the declaration on Wednesday during a town hall meeting organised by the NDC in Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity, political accountability and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The former Anambra State governor said his camp would not allow those seeking to manipulate the electoral process to have their way in the forthcoming elections.
“Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” Obi said.
He, however, did not provide further details on what he meant by the expression.
Obi also promised that, if elected president, his administration would take measures to prevent electoral fraud and ensure that elections in the country reflected the will of the electorate.
“And let me assure you, number two, if elected the president of Nigeria, nobody will rig the election in this country again,” he said.
The NDC candidate identified stronger political parties and more effective electoral processes as essential to tackling electoral malpractice, stressing that those involved in manipulating election results would be held accountable under his proposed administration.
He warned that public officials and other individuals found culpable in electoral fraud would face prosecution, regardless of their positions.
“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.
He also called for stricter enforcement of educational qualifications for candidates seeking elective offices, insisting that individuals who forged certificates or failed to satisfy the applicable requirements should face legal consequences, including imprisonment where prescribed by law.
Obi said his administration would not spare high-ranking officials or electoral personnel found to have participated in manipulating election outcomes.
“Any high-ranking official, anybody who is involved with the election, under my watch, that rigs the election, will go to jail,” he said.
The presidential hopeful further argued that adherence to the rule of law must apply to every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, official position or social 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,” he added.
Obi said his broader objective was to bring about changes in the country by strengthening public institutions, promoting accountability and ensuring that the law was applied fairly.
His remarks come as political parties and their prospective candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections, with electoral credibility, political competition and the enforcement of election laws expected to remain central issues in the build-up to the polls.
However, the implementation of Obi’s promises would depend on the specific policies adopted by his administration, the effectiveness of relevant institutions and compliance with the provisions of Nigeria’s electoral and criminal laws.
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