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Anyone who rigs election under my government will go to jail — Peter Obi

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Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed that anyone who rigs an election under his administration will be jailed, regardless of the number of votes involved.

Obi declared this during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday while outlining his position on electoral integrity and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The former Anambra State governor said his administration would not tolerate electoral malpractice, stressing that even the manipulation of a single vote would attract punishment.

“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said.

He also pledged that opposition political parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying they would be involved in decisions affecting the country.

“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.

“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.

“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.”

Obi said opposition members would remain involved in governance even when he travels outside the country.

“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important.

“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country.”

The NDC candidate also promised to remain accessible to Nigerians and prioritise his physical presence in the country if elected president.

“It doesn’t matter who is in office. I’m telling you that I will offer that.

“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.”

Obi further criticised alleged restrictions on his campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely irrespective of their opponents’ political affiliations.

He cited his experience as governor of Anambra State, recalling that he allowed opposition politicians to campaign in the state and provided support for their activities.

“When Governor Fashola of Lagos State told me he was coming to Anambra State, Charles, I gave him my car—it was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign,” Obi said.

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for another candidate in Anambra.

“As governor of the state, when President Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy, I went with him.

“He was there telling people, ‘Peter has done well, but this man will do better.’ No problem!”

Obi said such conduct represented the kind of political environment he wanted to promote.

“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue,” he said.

On possible cooperation among opposition parties ahead of 2027, Obi said he was open to discussions and was more interested in seeing Nigeria work than in securing the presidency for himself.

“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion,” he said.

He urged opposition parties to work towards ensuring free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and focusing their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians.