Peter Obi Vows Jail Terms for Election Riggers if Elected President in 2027

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to prosecute electoral offenders and ensure they face jail terms if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Obi made the declaration on Wednesday during an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

Responding to a question about election rigging, the former Anambra State governor said his party would 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 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 election manipulation.

“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 stated.

Obi also called for stricter laws governing eligibility to contest elections, arguing that candidates should be required to demonstrate that they attended primary and secondary school.

“Our laws will be strict. For you to contest an election, you must have attended a primary school, you must have attended a secondary school, and it will be visible; it will be clear,” he said.

He warned that anyone found to have forged academic certificates or failed to meet the proposed educational requirements would face imprisonment.

“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” Obi added.

The NDC candidate extended his warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other individuals involved in election administration, saying anyone found guilty of manipulating elections under his administration would be prosecuted.

“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail,” he declared.

Obi further stressed that the rule of law would apply to everyone under his proposed government, regardless of their position or status.

“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,” he said, adding that nobody would be above the law.

He said his political ambition was driven by a desire to transform Nigeria and establish a system in which electoral laws and democratic processes were respected.

“That’s why we are doing what we are doing. We want to change Nigeria. A new Nigeria is possible, and that new Nigeria will be OK,” Obi said.

His remarks come as political parties and electoral stakeholders prepare for the 2027 general elections, with electoral credibility, voter confidence and the prevention of manipulation remaining important issues in the national political debate.