Administration

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed that anyone who rigs an election under his administration will be jailed, regardless of the number of votes involved. Obi made the declaration 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. “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. Obi Promises Support for Opposition Parties Obi also pledged that opposition parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying they would be involved in decisions on matters of national importance. “No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said. “We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision… We will invite all opposition. “It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.” He added that opposition members would remain involved in government decisions even when the president travels outside the country. Obi also promised to remain accessible to Nigerians and spend most of his time in the country. “Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.” Obi Recalls Allowing Opponents to Campaign in Anambra The NDC candidate criticised alleged restrictions on opposition campaign activities in some states, saying candidates should be allowed to campaign regardless of political affiliations. He recalled that, as Anambra governor, he allowed political opponents to campaign freely in the state. Obi cited former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu as examples of politicians who campaigned in Anambra while he was governor. “That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue,” he said. Obi Rejects Anambra Debt Claims Obi also rejected claims that he left Anambra State with $123 million in debt when he left office in March 2014. “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 his administration left without unpaid salaries, gratuities, pensions or verified obligations to contractors and suppliers whose work had been completed. Obi said the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) facilities cited in the debt controversy were development programmes obtained through the Federal Government and accessed by participating states through subsidiary arrangements. He put Anambra’s external debt at about $18 million when he assumed office and about $30 million when he left in March 2014. He also claimed that more than $150 million in dollar-denominated funds had been left in investments, generating about $10 million annually. The Anambra State Government has disputed Obi’s account, previously claiming that outstanding loans linked to past administrations stood at about ₦127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026. Obi urged ARISE NEWS to independently verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks, saying he had presented documents supporting his position. Obi: ‘I Have No Dispute With Soludo’ On his relationship with Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said 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 Questions Tinubu’s Absence Obi also questioned President Bola Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria, arguing that the president’s physical presence is important during periods of crisis. “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.” Obi Disowns Reported Kwankwasiyya Campaign Council On reports of an Obedient Kwankwasiyya campaign council, Obi said the group did not have his approval. “I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said. He, however, remained open to discussions on opposition cooperation, including the possibility of a presidential candidate stepping aside as part of broader talks. “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 urged opposition parties to focus on free and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting 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.”