Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to enforce strict penalties against electoral fraud, declaring that anyone caught rigging elections under his administration will face imprisonment.
Speaking on electoral integrity, democratic governance, and opposition politics during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Obi insisted that electoral malpractice must carry real consequences.
“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rigs elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi stated.
Inclusive governance and campaign freedoms
Addressing political tolerance, the former Anambra State governor promised an inclusive administrative model that would protect opposition parties from state harassment and invite them into core national decision-making processes.
Key highlights from his television address include:
Opposition involvement in foreign trips: Obi stated that during his presidency, representatives of opposition parties would routinely accompany the executive delegation during official trips abroad to participate in key governance decisions.
Protection against state harassment: He pledged that political parties and presidential contenders would operate without intimidation, security interference, or state-sponsored obstruction.
Protest against campaign restrictions: Obi criticised recent administrative restrictions placed on his campaign activities in certain states, emphasising that all political candidates must be allowed to campaign freely regardless of political affiliation.
Obi’s remarks come as opposition leaders build campaign coalitions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, positioning electoral reform and institutional transparency as central pillars of his policy platform.
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