Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to prosecute and jail anyone found to have rigged an election under his administration if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the statement during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday while discussing electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former Anambra State governor said the punishment would apply regardless of the number of votes involved, including the manipulation of a single vote.
“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 said.
Obi also pledged that political parties, including opposition parties, would not be harassed under his administration.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them.”
He said opposition parties would be involved in decisions on major national issues, arguing that governance should include stakeholders beyond the party in power.
“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.”
Obi said the same approach would apply when the president travels outside Nigeria, saying opposition representatives should remain involved in important government decisions.
“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important.”
The NDC candidate also criticised what he described as restrictions on his campaign activities in some states. He argued that presidential candidates should be allowed to campaign regardless of the political affiliation of the governor or other authorities in a state.
Obi cited his experience as governor of Anambra State, recalling occasions when opposition politicians were allowed to campaign in the state.
He said he provided facilities for former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign and also accompanied former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a campaign visit.
Obi said such conduct was part of allowing voters to hear competing political messages and make their choices.
He also said he would prioritise remaining physically present in Nigeria if elected president, rather than spending extended periods abroad.
“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.”
The interview also touched on the ongoing dispute over Anambra State’s debt, with Obi again rejecting claims that he left the state with about $123 million in debt.
He maintained that he did not borrow from financial institutions or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra during his tenure as governor.
“I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government.”
Obi said Anambra was not owing salaries, pensions, gratuities, contractors or suppliers whose completed work had been certified and verified when he left office in March 2014.
He also argued that development financing from institutions such as the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development had been obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently made available to states under concessionary arrangements.
The debt issue remains disputed, with the Anambra State Government maintaining that loans contracted during previous administrations remain part of the state’s outstanding obligations.
Obi said he had presented documents relating to his handover and financial records and urged journalists to independently verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.
On his relationship with current Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said there was no personal dispute between them.
“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”
Obi also addressed opposition cooperation ahead of the 2027 election, saying he was open to discussions aimed at strengthening the opposition and ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
“I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work.”
He said opposition parties should focus on preventing electoral violence, protecting votes and campaigning on issues affecting Nigerians.
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