By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to jail anyone found rigging an election under his administration, emphasizing that the punishment would apply even if only one vote was compromised.
Obi made the declaration during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while setting out his stance on electoral integrity, opposition politics, and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“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.
He also pledged that political parties, including opposition groups, would not be harassed under his administration, adding that his government would involve them in major decisions affecting the country.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he stated.
“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. It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody,” he added.
The NDC candidate stated that opposition members would also be part of government decisions whenever he travels outside the country.
“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important. It’s our country.
For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country,” he noted.
Obi promised to remain accessible to Nigerians and prioritize being physically present in the country.
“It doesn’t matter who is in office. I’m telling you that I will offer that. Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he affirmed.
Addressing his relationship with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi clarified that there was no dispute between them.
“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo. We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him,” Obi said.
He, however, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s extended absence from the country beyond the scheduled timeframe.
“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation. Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know,” he queried.
Touching on opposition politics, Obi called on all political actors to focus on safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
He recalled how, during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, he allowed political opponents to campaign freely and provided state logistics for them.
“When Governor Fashola of Lagos State told me he was coming to Anambra State, Charles, I gave him my car it was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign,” Obi recounted.
He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for a rival candidate in Anambra State.
“As governor of the state, when President Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy, I went with him. He was there telling people, ‘Peter has done well, but this man will do better.’ No problem!” he laughed.
Obi similarly recalled hosting former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu during a campaign visit.
“After my lunch, standing in front of me with Uche Ekwunife, he told the press people, ‘Peter has done well, but Uche will do better.’ That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue,” Obi explained.
He criticized restrictions currently placed on his campaign activities in some states, advocating for an open democratic space.
“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. That’s it to ensure that Nigeria works for the future of our children,” he insisted.
Addressing long-standing claims regarding his financial record as governor of Anambra State, Obi rejected assertions that he left the state with a $123m debt, reiterating that he did not borrow money throughout his tenure.
“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 asserted.
He added that the state was not owing salaries, gratuities, pensions, or contractors whose projects had been certified and verified before he left office.
Clarifying the origin of foreign facilities linked to his administration, Obi explained that World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) facilities were concessionary support secured by the Federal Government and on-lent to qualifying states.
He noted that Anambra’s foreign debt was approximately $18m when he assumed office and around $30m when he left in March 2014.
According to him, the state held over $150m in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, generating about $10m annually, which was more than enough to cover any alleged liabilities.
“Please publish these documents. I’m urging you, please,” Obi urged the interviewers, presenting what he described as his official handover document.
“The World Bank is in Abuja; they can give you the history of the drawdowns. The banks mentioned here are Nigerian banks; you have access to their headquarters. Ask them whether this money was there,” he challenged.
On the reported “Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement” campaign council, Obi distanced himself from the setup, stating that it lacked his authorization.
“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said, advising the group to function as a support group rather than a parallel structure.
He further expressed readiness for opposition alliances ahead of 2027, including discussions on candidates stepping aside to present a united front.
“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion,” Obi concluded.
