2027: Peter Obi vows to jail anyone who rigs election if…

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed that anyone found guilty of rigging an election under his administration would be jailed, regardless of the number of votes involved.

Obi made the declaration during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while outlining his position on electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“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,” he said.

Obi promises inclusive government

The former Anambra state governor also pledged that opposition parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying they would be involved in decisions concerning matters of national importance.

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

He said opposition parties would be consulted on major national decisions, including when he travels outside the country.

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

Obi also promised to remain accessible to Nigerians and spend most of his time in the country if elected president.

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

He criticised restrictions allegedly placed on his campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely irrespective of the political affiliation of their opponents.

Recalling his experience as Anambra governor, Obi said he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided support for some of their activities.

He recalled giving former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola his convoy to campaign in Anambra and accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for Andy Uba in the state.

Obi also recalled providing lunch for former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu during a campaign for Uche Ekwunife.

He said such experiences reflected how democracy should operate, with political opponents allowed to campaign without intimidation.

Obi restates position on Anambra debt

On the controversy surrounding Anambra State’s debt profile during his tenure, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt.

He maintained that he did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his eight years in office.

“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government,” he said.

Obi also said the state did not owe salaries, gratuities, pensions, contractors or suppliers whose completed projects had been certified and verified when he left office in March 2014.

He explained that the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities cited in the debt claims were concessionary development funds obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.

According to Obi, Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and approximately $30 million when he left.

He further claimed that the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, generating about $10 million annually.

Obi urged ARISE NEWS to independently verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.

Obi rejects reported Kwankwasiyya campaign council

Obi said he had no dispute with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, describing him as his “very respected elder brother”.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” he said.

On President Bola Tinubu’s foreign trips, Obi questioned the President’s absence from the country, arguing that the presence of the head of government was important during periods of crisis.

The NDC candidate also disowned a reported campaign council established by the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement, saying the group did not have his approval.

“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said.

Obi, however, expressed openness to discussions on cooperation among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election, including possible arrangements involving presidential candidates stepping aside.

He said his priority was not simply becoming president but ensuring that Nigeria worked and that the country held free, fair and credible elections.

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

He urged opposition parties to work together to protect democracy, prevent electoral violence and campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.