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Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has asserted that electoral rigging persists in Nigeria primarily because citizens fail to actively safeguard their votes.
In a video statement made during an address to Nigerians in the diaspora, Obi emphasized that the responsibility for credible elections lies with the people themselves. “Elections are rigged in Nigeria because Nigerians want it to be rigged. It’s as simple as ABC,” he declared. “I will do whatever is possible to protect the votes, but unless Nigerians decide that their votes will count, it will not count.”
Obi urged voters not to abandon polling units immediately after casting their ballots, stressing the need for citizens to remain vigilant and defend the electoral process. He linked Nigeria’s broader challenges, including poor leadership and governance failures, to the electorate’s apathy and unwillingness to hold the system accountable.
The NDC presidential candidate, who placed third in the 2023 presidential election, reiterated his commitment to ensuring every vote counts in 2027. He warned that meaningful change can only occur when Nigerians take ownership of the democratic process rather than leaving it vulnerable to manipulation.
“Elections are rigged because Nigerians allow it. I’ll do everything possible to protect votes in 2027, but citizens must stay and ensure their votes count. Nigeria’s biggest problem remains poor leadership.”
Obi’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion on social media and in political circles, with many interpreting them as a direct call to action ahead of the next general elections. Supporters view the message as a pragmatic push for grassroots empowerment, while others see it as a critique of voter behavior and systemic issues.