2027: ‘Rig Election, Face Jail Term— Obi Warns Electoral Offenders

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has threatened to deal with those who rig elections in Nigeria, declaring that his administration would ensure electoral offenders face jail terms if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Obi spoke on Wednesday at 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 query about election rigging, the previous Anambra State governor mentioned the celebration wouldn’t permit electoral manipulation to go unchallenged within the subsequent basic election.

“You didn’t ask about what we are going to do if people rig election next year. Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” Obi mentioned.

He added that, if elected president, he would make sure that election rigging grew to become not possible beneath his watch by strengthening political events and reforming the electoral course of.

“And let me assure you number two, if I’m elected the President of Nigeria, nobody will rig election in this country again because the first thing we need to do is to strengthen our parties, strengthen the process,” he mentioned.

Obi additionally known as for stricter legal guidelines governing eligibility to contest elections, arguing that candidates must be required to exhibit that that they had attended major and secondary college.

“Our laws will be strict. For you to contest 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 mentioned.

He warned that anybody who solid tutorial certificates or falsely claimed to own the required {qualifications} would face imprisonment.

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

The NDC candidate prolonged the warning to officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others concerned in election administration, saying anybody discovered responsible of rigging elections beneath his authorities could be prosecuted.

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

Obi mentioned his proposed method could be anchored on the rule of legislation, insisting that no particular person, no matter place, must be exempt from accountability.

“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 mentioned.

“Nobody must be above the law; nobody will behave rascally.”

He mentioned his political ambition was pushed by a want to alter the nation and construct a system through which electoral guidelines had been revered.

“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 added.