Anyone who rigs election under me as president will be jailed

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed that anyone who rigs election under his watch as president will be jailed.

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Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, disclosed this on Thursday night when he appeared as a guest on Arise News’ Prime Time.

The former governor was responding to questions about his likely reaction if opposition politicians visit his state to campaign under his administration as president.

“If I’m serving as president of this country, whoever rigs the election will be in jail. Even for one vote, he will be in jail. No political party will be harassed,” he said.

The NDC candidate stressed that rather than attack opposition politicians, he would work with them and even support them.

“We will support them (opposition politicians) and we will be working with the opposition political parties.

“If there’s a matter about states that we have to make a decision, such as the situation we find ourselves in now, we will invite all opposition. It’s a country,” he stated.

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“I’ll make sure that even if I have to take a foreign trip, opposition will be involved. They’ll be involved in decisions.”

‘I have done it before’

Mr Obi expressed concern that some governors were allegedly blocking him from campaigning in their states ahead of the 2027 general election.

He cited the recent Benue State incident during which suspected political thugs prevented him and his convoy from entering the north-central state.

Mr Obi recalled several instances of how he hosted opposition politicians who visited Anambra State to campaign for his opponents during his second term bid as governor of the state under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

“When then-Governor (Babatunde) Fashola of Lagos State told me he’s coming to Anambra State (to campaign against me), I gave him my cars. It was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign.

“As a governor in the state, when then-President (Olusegun) Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy (Uba of PDP), I went with him. He even told the people that I’ve done well, but Andy Ubah will do better,” he recalled.

The former governor continued: “When Andy Uba came to campaign with Uche Ekwunife, I gave them lunch.

“After my lunch, in front of me, standing with him and Uche Ekwunife, he told the whole people, ‘Peter, you’ve done well, but Uche will do better.’ That’s democracy.”

‘What I expect from other governors now’

Mr Obi then argued that, having accommodated opposition politicians campaigning against him in the past, he expects current governors to reciprocate his deeds.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi counters Anambra’s debt claims, details what he left as governor

“What I expect now, being a candidate, the governors are supposed to even give me transport facilities when I arrive in their states, accommodate me where necessary, and be able to give me all of that support to go and meet the voters,” he said.

The NDC candidate claimed that apart from being prevented by some state governors from campaigning in their states, he fears for his life.

“I’ve said it here that I’m not even sure whether I’ll still be alive at the end of this (election). I’m praying to God for his protection because at this stage, I’m not sure what is happening,” he said.