By TheDailyNewsHub
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has assured supporters that they will not be intimidated at polling units during the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to stand up for their votes.
Obi made the remarks on Thursday during the “Obi Talks Nigeria” town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, hosted by the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Dumo Lulu-Briggs. The engagement brought Obi and NDC stakeholders together for discussions with citizens ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing questions from participants, the former Anambra State governor said voters must be prepared to defend their ballots and ensure that their votes count.
“Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth,” Obi said, arguing that the number of voters at a polling unit would make it difficult for a small number of officials to intimidate voters.
He urged citizens to take responsibility for protecting the electoral process, particularly by remaining present and vigilant at polling units.
‘I’m ready to die too’
Obi also responded to a comment about supporters being prepared to “die” for their votes, saying he was equally prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’ Let me tell you, I’m ready to die too,” he said.
Obi’s remarks were made in the context of his call for voters to resist intimidation and ensure that their votes are counted. He also said the NDC would put coordination mechanisms in place to prevent intimidation during the election.
Obi raises concerns over IReV
The NDC candidate also expressed concern about possible attempts to manipulate the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2027 elections.
Obi said the party was preparing for possible technical challenges with the electronic system and suggested that alternative technological arrangements would be needed.
“Yes, they will try to manipulate the IReV. But let me tell you, it will not be easy this time,” he said.
“There will be so many IReVs this time. If there is a network glitch, we will give them another one that has no glitch.”
The IReV platform came under scrutiny during the 2023 elections amid complaints about difficulties uploading and viewing results electronically.
‘Rivers votes must count’
Following the town hall, Obi reiterated his position that Rivers State voters must be allowed to participate in a free and credible election.
In a subsequent statement, he said the people of Rivers State would vote in 2027 and insisted that their votes must count.
“Let it be recorded that this time around, the people of Rivers State will vote, and their votes MUST count,” Obi said, adding that the state could set an example for credible elections in 2027.
The Rivers engagement forms part of Obi’s Obi Talks Nigeria series, through which the NDC presidential candidate is engaging citizens on issues including education, healthcare, security, jobs and economic opportunities ahead of the 2027 election.
The 2027 general elections are expected to generate heightened political activity as parties and candidates begin mobilising supporters and presenting their programmes to voters.
TheDailyNewsHub will continue to report developments ahead of the 2027 elections, with claims by political actors clearly attributed to them.