Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to confront electoral malpractice in the 2027 general elections, declaring that his camp will “rig those who rig.”
Obi made the declaration on Wednesday at an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State.
What He Said:
“We will rig those who rig the election. We will not allow anybody to steal our mandate again. This time, we will defend every vote.”
Obi, who was Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 and came third, said his movement has learnt lessons from 2023 and will deploy polling unit marshals, technology, and legal teams to ensure votes count.
He outlined plans to tackle electoral malpractice including vote buying, result sheet manipulation and BVAS bypass.
The statement has generated reactions online, with supporters hailing it as strong warning to riggers, while critics said it could be interpreted as endorsing rigging.
INEC has fixed January 16, 2027 for presidential election. Peter Obi defected to NDC in September 2026 after Labour Party crisis, with ex-INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega as NDC Chairman.
INEC and security agencies are yet to react to the statement.