Peter Obi urges Nigerians to defend their votes in the 2027 election, saying credible polls depend on the people’s determination, not just INEC
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to actively defend their votes, insisting that the credibility of the next election will ultimately depend on the resolve of the electorate rather than the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also read: Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Tinubu to Resign Before 2027 Election
Obi made the remarks on Friday while speaking with journalists after attending the burial service of Pa Simon Okorie Abaa, the father of NDC Ebonyi South senatorial candidate Chief Linus Okorie, at Isiama Primary School in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 general election, Obi said his confidence was rooted in the Nigerian people and their willingness to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is not about confidence in INEC. Do I still have confidence in the people? Because it is the people that will determine what INEC will do. If the people insist that their votes will count, their votes will count,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s current challenges and consider the future facing younger generations.
“It is for Nigerians to look at what is happening in the country today and ask themselves what the future holds for our children in this enterprise called Nigeria. Are we going to continue in this direction? Anybody talking about changing Nigeria today is making the ultimate sacrifice because we cannot continue like this,” he added.
Obi also expressed concern over what he described as worsening poverty and food insecurity, saying the hardship facing many Nigerians was evident across communities.
“Every day poverty is increasing. Every day hunger is increasing. You don’t even need World Bank reports to know this because you can see it in the villages.
“They are saying that about 70 million Nigerians are facing acute hunger. What are we going to do about it? Are we going to continue like this? No. That is not possible,” he said.
Responding to concerns about possible intimidation of opposition supporters during the election period, Obi argued that economic hardship had already become a form of intimidation affecting all Nigerians.
“For me, every Nigerian is already being harassed by hunger. People are being harassed by the worsening situation in the country. Everybody is affected.
“It is time for Nigerians to tell those who are harassing us that enough is enough,” he stated.
Obi also paid tribute to the late Pa Simon Okorie Abaa, describing his relationship with Chief Linus Okorie as longstanding and recalling that they had previously worked together in the Labour Party before joining the NDC.
“We have worked together before in the Labour Party and now we are in the NDC. That shows we have a close relationship. We are here today to pay our last respects to his late father.
“I pray that God Almighty, who gave Papa a long life and has now called him home, will grant him eternal rest and give the family and all of us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Obi said.
Also read: Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Tinubu to Resign Before 2027 Election
The comments come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with electoral reforms, economic conditions and national security expected to dominate public debate in the months ahead.
