2027: Ex-INEC chief declares place on 'rig and die' forward of elections

Former Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, National Commissioner representing the South-East, Festus Okoye, has condemned the controversial ‘Rig and Die’ slogan, describing it as undemocratic and a menace to the rules of democracy.

Okoye, who beforehand chaired INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, maintained that no particular person has the correct to make use of drive or violence towards one other particular person over alleged electoral offences.

He pressured that anybody suspected of partaking in electoral malpractice needs to be reported to the suitable safety companies relatively than subjected to mob motion or threats of violence.

Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday night, the previous INEC commissioner mentioned the regulation doesn’t allow people to take issues into their very own fingers, whatever the circumstances.

He mentioned, “So I think that in our circumstances, no individual, even under Section 132 of the Electoral Act, is permitted to treat anybody with the use of force or violence.

“If you imagine that anyone has dedicated an offence throughout an election interval or throughout an election, your accountability is to report the particular person to the lawful safety companies and for them to take motion, however to not incite folks to take the regulation into their very own fingers; that’s self-help, and self-help shouldn’t be permitted in a democratic system.”

DAILY POST recalls that the ‘Rig and Die’ slogan has generated controversy in Nigeria’s political space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The expression is widely regarded as a warning to politicians and other individuals against manipulating election results or undermining the wishes of voters.

The slogan attracted renewed national attention in October 2026 following a statement by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, during a political campaign in Delta State.

Omo-Agege warned that anyone caught attempting to rig the 2027 elections would face deadly consequences.

He declared, “Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we’ll kill him! If you don’t worth your life, come and rig the election. It is rig and die.”

Former entertainer Charly Boy had additionally employed the expression in August 2025 whereas issuing a warning to politicians towards electoral manipulation.

Okoye’s feedback come amid rising political discussions surrounding the 2027 elections, significantly considerations about electoral integrity, political intimidation and the necessity for peaceable democratic participation.