Presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress said in an ARISE NEWS interview on Thursday, 24 September 2026, that anyone found rigging an election under a government led by Obi would face imprisonment, including those responsible for manipulating a single vote.
Obi made the declaration while discussing electoral integrity, opposition politics and his vision for democratic governance ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Also read: Obi replies Soludo, says undrawn loan cannot be called debt
“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.
The former Anambra State governor presented electoral integrity as a central part of his proposed approach to governance, arguing that elections should be determined by voters rather than manipulation of the electoral process.
Obi also said his administration would not harass opposition parties if elected.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.
He said opposition parties would be invited to participate in discussions on matters of national importance, particularly decisions affecting the country’s security, stability and broader interests.
“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision,” Obi said.
He added that opposition representatives could also be involved in discussions surrounding presidential foreign trips.
“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country,” he said.
Obi also promised to maintain a visible presence in Nigeria if elected, saying citizens should not have difficulty knowing where their president is during periods of national concern.
“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.
The comments came as political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 electoral cycle, with questions around electoral credibility, opposition cooperation and political freedoms expected to remain important issues during the campaign.
Obi also criticised what he described as restrictions on campaign activities in some parts of the country.
He argued that political candidates should be allowed to campaign regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.
To illustrate his position, Obi recalled his time as governor of Anambra State, saying he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state.
He cited former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, saying he provided his official vehicle for Fashola’s campaign visit to Anambra.
Obi also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when Obasanjo campaigned for Andy Uba in Anambra.
He said he did not regard political competition as a reason to prevent opponents from presenting their candidates to voters.
Obi similarly recalled an occasion involving former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Uche Ekwunife, saying he allowed them to campaign despite supporting a different political position.
For Obi, those experiences demonstrated his view that electoral competition should allow voters to hear competing political arguments without intimidation or obstruction.
The presidential candidate also addressed the continuing dispute over Anambra State’s finances during his tenure as governor.
Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt, saying he did not borrow money from financial institutions or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra during his eight years in office.
“Let me categorically state again: 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,” he said.
Obi said Anambra had no outstanding obligations relating to salaries, gratuities, pensions, completed and verified contractors’ work or suppliers when he left office in March 2014.
He also disputed the treatment of World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities in discussions about the state’s debt.
According to Obi, those were concessionary development facilities obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.
He said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18 million when he assumed office and approximately $30 million when he left.
Obi further claimed that the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated investments at the time of his departure, which he said generated about $10 million annually.
He challenged media organisations to independently verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian financial institutions.
The claims remain part of an ongoing public dispute over Anambra’s finances, and Obi’s account represents his position on the matter.
On his relationship with current Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi rejected suggestions that the two men were involved in a personal dispute.
“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” Obi said.
“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported absence from Nigeria, arguing that the physical presence of a president is particularly important during periods of crisis.
“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation,” Obi said.
“Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know.”
The comments represent Obi’s political position and criticism of the current administration rather than an independently established finding about the President’s activities.
Obi also addressed reports of an Obedient Kwankwasiyya campaign council, saying the group did not have his approval to operate as a political structure.
“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said.
He said supporters were free to organise around his political project but should not present an unauthorised structure as an official campaign organisation.
On the possibility of cooperation among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 election, Obi said he remained open to discussions, including a scenario in which a presidential aspirant could step aside if doing so contributed to a broader opposition arrangement.
“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion,” he said.
Obi said opposition parties should focus on ensuring credible elections, reducing political violence and addressing issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
“What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
His comments place electoral reform and political competition at the centre of his campaign message as the 2027 election cycle develops.
The proposed jail sentence for election riggers is among the strongest statements in Obi’s latest interview, but its implementation would depend on existing Nigerian laws, due process and the institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting electoral offences.
Also read: Obi replies Soludo, says undrawn loan cannot be called debt
For now, Obi’s position is that electoral fraud should attract serious legal consequences regardless of the number of votes involved.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
