Whoever rigs elections under me as President will be jailed — Obi

By Emmanuel Kwada

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed that anyone who rigs an election under his administration will 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 speaking about electoral integrity, opposition politics and his approach to 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,” Obi said.

He also pledged that opposition parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying political parties outside government would be involved in decisions on major national issues.

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

Obi said his administration would consult opposition parties whenever decisions of national importance were being considered, arguing that governance should involve all political interests.

He further said opposition representatives would be involved in certain government decisions even when he travels outside the country.

According to him, his priority would be to build a stable, united and secure Nigeria while ensuring that political differences do not undermine national interests.

The former Anambra State governor also promised to remain physically accessible to Nigerians if elected, saying he would prioritise staying in the country rather than spending extended periods away on foreign trips or holidays.

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

Obi recalls treatment of political opponents in Anambra

Obi also criticised alleged restrictions on campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely irrespective of their opponents’ political affiliations.

He cited his experience as governor of Anambra State, recalling instances in which he said political opponents were allowed to campaign in the state.

Obi said he provided his official convoy for former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign.

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when the former president campaigned for another candidate in the state.

Obi said such actions reflected his understanding of democratic competition, where voters should be allowed to hear competing political messages and make their choices.

The NDC candidate also addressed the continuing dispute over the financial position of Anambra State when he left office in March 2014.

Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt, insisting that he did not borrow from any financial institution or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his eight-year tenure.

He said his administration left office without outstanding obligations to workers in salaries, gratuities and pensions, as well as contractors and suppliers whose projects had been completed, certified and verified.

Obi also disputed claims surrounding World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities, saying the loans were concessionary development funds obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.

He said Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and about $30 million when he left in March 2014.

Obi further claimed that the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds at the time of his departure, generating about $10 million annually.

He challenged relevant institutions, including the World Bank and Nigerian banks, to verify the financial records he presented.

On his relationship with current Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said there was no personal dispute between them.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” he said, describing Soludo as the governor of his state whom he respects.

Obi, however, questioned President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from the country, arguing that the physical presence of the president is important during periods of national difficulty.

“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also rejected the reported creation of a presidential campaign council by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, saying support groups should not operate as parallel structures to the political party.

Obi said the NDC remained the political platform under which he and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would contest the 2027 election, while groups such as the Obedient and Kwankwasiyya movements should function as support organisations.

The NDC has separately given Obi and Kwankwaso authority to nominate key officials of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in consultation with the party leadership.

Obi also expressed openness to discussions with other opposition figures on possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 election.

He said his focus was not simply on securing the presidency but on achieving a political process centred on free and credible elections, preventing violence and addressing issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

“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.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has listed Obi as the NDC’s presidential candidate for the January 16, 2027 presidential election, with Kwankwaso as his running mate.