2027: Peter Obi Urges Rivers Voters to Turn Out, Ensure Their Votes Count

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged voters in Rivers State to participate massively in the 2027 general election and ensure their votes are counted.

Obi made the call in a statement shared on X on Friday after attending a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The former presidential candidate said the engagement provided an opportunity to discuss some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians, including unemployment, healthcare, education, insecurity and access to economic opportunities.

Obi said that, if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria, his administration would place education, healthcare and poverty reduction at the centre of its development agenda.

He also pointed to developments in Bangladesh, Indonesia and India as examples of how focused leadership and deliberate policies could improve economic conditions and reduce poverty. He cited Bangladesh’s progress in rice production, Indonesia’s support for small and medium-sized businesses and India’s poverty-reduction efforts.

Obi said he was particularly encouraged by what he described as renewed determination among Rivers residents to participate in the 2027 election and protect the integrity of their votes.

“My greatest elation today came from the renewed commitment I saw among the good people of Rivers State to participate massively in the 2027 elections and, more importantly, to ensure that their votes are counted and the people’s mandate is respected,” Obi said.

He urged voters to use the election to demand a transparent and credible electoral process, arguing that political leaders can only claim legitimate mandates when they emerge from free and fair elections.

“Let it be recorded that this time around, the people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count,” he declared.

Obi further challenged Rivers State to lead by example in the 2027 elections, calling on residents to demonstrate that credible elections are possible.

“Rivers State can and should set the pace for excellent, free, fair, and credible elections in 2027,” he said.

He maintained that leaders produced through a transparent electoral process would have greater legitimacy to govern and represent the interests of the people.

Obi said the NDC town hall was aimed at exploring practical solutions to Nigeria’s development problems while encouraging citizens to become more involved in governance.

He thanked the NDC leadership, Rivers State governorship candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Vice-Presidential Candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, party officials and supporters for taking part in the engagement.

Obi said the broader objective of the opposition movement was to “rescue Nigeria, rebuild our institutions, and restore hope to our people.”