The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has threatened to deal with electoral offenders in Nigeria, stressing that his administration will ensure anyone caught rigging the 2027 presidential election is jailed.
The former Anambra State Governor, while addressing party supporters during an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, stated that the party will 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.
He promised that, if elected President, he would introduce reforms to strengthen political parties and the overall electoral process to make rigging impossible.
The NDC candidate proposed stringent eligibility laws for elective offices, insisting that aspirants must present verifiable primary and secondary school certificates. He warned that anyone caught with forged academic credentials will face imprisonment.
He also warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that no one will be above the law:
“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail. 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.
Obi restated that his political ambition is driven solely by a desire to build a system where the rule of law is respected, adding that a new Nigeria remains possible.
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