“I’m Ready to Die” — Obi Vows to Protect His Votes in 2027

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to protect his votes in the 2027 general election, declaring that he is prepared to risk his life to prevent voter intimidation and electoral manipulation.

Obi made the statement on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a town hall meeting with voters tagged “Obi Talks Nigeria.”

The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to prevent a repeat of what he described as the irregularities that characterised the 2023 general election.

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), finishing third behind Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar and the eventual winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obi and his supporters have continued to allege that the 2023 election was marred by irregularities and electoral manipulation.

Speaking at the town hall, Obi said Nigerians must resist any attempt to intimidate or suppress voters during the 2027 election.

“Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth,” he said.

Obi argued that the number of voters at polling units is usually much higher than the number of electoral officials, making it possible for citizens to stand up against intimidation.

“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.

The NDC candidate also said mechanisms would be put in place to coordinate voters and ensure that they are able to freely exercise their franchise.

He further raised concerns over possible attempts to manipulate election results through the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“Yes, they will try to manipulate the IReV. But let me tell you, it will not be easy this time,” Obi said.

He said alternative technological measures would be deployed to ensure greater transparency in the transmission and collation of election results.

“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 warned that allowing electoral irregularities to persist would have serious consequences for the country, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant throughout the 2027 electoral process.