Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has vowed to prosecute and jail anyone found guilty of rigging elections if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the declaration on Wednesday at an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity and proposed measures to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
Responding to a question about election manipulation, the former Anambra State governor said his party would not allow electoral fraud to go unchallenged in the 2027 general election.
“You didn’t ask about what we are going to do if people rig the 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, his administration would strengthen political parties and electoral processes to prevent future manipulation of election results.
“And let me assure you, number two, if I’m elected the President of Nigeria, nobody will rig elections in this country again because the first thing we need to do is to strengthen our parties, strengthen the process,” he said.
Jail Terms For INEC Officials Involved in Rigging
Peter Obi extended his warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and anyone involved in election administration who is found guilty of manipulating electoral outcomes.
“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail,” he declared.
He said his administration would enforce the rule of law without regard to the status or position of offenders, arguing that no individual should be above the law.
“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,” Obi said.
“Nobody must be above the law; nobody will behave rascally.” He said.
