The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to protect his votes in the 2027 general election.
Obi made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall meeting with voters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The event, tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria”, focused on the 2027 election and the challenges facing the country. The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to prevent a repeat of what he described as the irregularities witnessed during the 2023 election.
“Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth,” Obi said, urging voters to stand up for their rights and ensure their votes count.
Obi vows to resist voter intimidation
Obi argued that voters would have the numbers to resist intimidation at polling units during the 2027 election. He noted that most polling booths have about five officials, while the number of voters can reach 40 or 50. According to him, such a situation makes it difficult for a small number of officials to intimidate a larger group of voters.
The NDC candidate said his party would also improve coordination among voters and its supporters at polling units.
“We will make sure we have coordination to ensure that such intimidation does not arise,” he said.
Obi further urged Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting their votes throughout the electoral process.
“This time all of us will rescue our country. Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’ Let me tell you, I’m ready to die too,” he said.
His comments came as political parties and their supporters prepare for another presidential election in 2027.
Obi raises concern over IReV
Obi also raised concerns about possible attempts to manipulate the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal, known as IReV. He said those who attempt to interfere with the electronic transmission of results would face stronger resistance in the next election.
“Yes, they will try to manipulate the IReV. But let me tell you, it will not be easy this time,” Obi said.
He also suggested that alternative systems could help address technical problems with the platform during the election.
“There will be so many IReVs this time. If there is a network glitch, we will give them another one that has no glitch,” he said.
Obi argued that technical failures should not prevent Nigerians from having their votes properly recorded and counted.
Peter Obi recalls 2023 election
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party and finished third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress. Tinubu won the election, while Obi and his supporters continued to raise concerns about the conduct of the poll.
At Thursday’s town hall, Obi urged Nigerians to remain active throughout the electoral process and defend their votes at polling units. He maintained that the 2027 election should not repeat the problems that he and his supporters associated with the 2023 poll.
Obi’s remarks come as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general election, with voter participation and the credibility of the electoral process already attracting renewed attention.
