Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to prosecute and jail anyone found guilty of rigging an election under his administration, regardless of the number of votes involved.
Obi made the statement during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while discussing electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said even rigging a single vote would attract punishment.
“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.
The former Anambra State governor also promised that opposition political parties would not be harassed under his administration. He said they would be consulted on major national decisions affecting the country.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.
Obi said he would involve opposition parties in important government decisions, including when the president travels outside the country.
According to him, his administration would prioritise national unity, security and stability, while ensuring that Nigerians have access to the president.
“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.
Obi also criticised alleged restrictions on campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.
He recalled that while serving as Anambra governor, he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided support for their activities.
On the controversy surrounding Anambra State’s debt, Obi again rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt.
He maintained that he did not borrow money from any financial institution or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his eight years in office.
Obi said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18 million when he assumed office and approximately $30 million when he left in March 2014.
He also claimed that the state had more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he said generated about $10 million annually.
Obi urged journalists to verify his claims with the World Bank and Nigerian banks, saying he had presented documents relating to the state’s financial position at the time he handed over power.
On his relationship with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said there was no dispute between them and described Soludo as his “very respected elder brother.”
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported prolonged absence from Nigeria, arguing that the president’s physical presence was important, particularly during periods of crisis.
Obi further denied approving a reported campaign council associated with the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement, saying the group should operate only as a support group and not as a parallel political structure.
The NDC presidential candidate also expressed openness to discussions with opposition figures about cooperation ahead of the 2027 election, including the possibility of a presidential candidate stepping aside as part of efforts to strengthen opposition collaboration.
He said opposition parties should focus on securing free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
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