Obi’s principled stand against rigging

As we approach the 2027 general election with great anxiety and trepidation, many politicians, voters and other stakeholders have had cause to express fears over manipulation and rigging in our elections. To them, rigging of election has become the bane of our politics. It has also become a dent on our democracy. The 2023 presidential election was seriously marred by rigging orchestrated by what the then INEC boss, Prof. Mahood Yakubu, described as “technical glitches.” To solve this intractable challenge, some Nigerians have come up with various measures, some genuine and others bordering on self-help or what can be regarded as jungle justice.

However, the former governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has offered the most articulate and profound solution to curb and even end rigging in our elections. Obi has also come up with fresh ideas and plans that will make Nigeria a country that works. He also believed that a new Nigeria of our desire is a possibility if he wins the 2027 presidential election, which he is contesting with former Kano State governor, Engr. Rabiu Kwakwanso.

Obi had strongly warned against rigging while addressing his supporters at a campaign rally ahead of the 2027 presidential election. While laying emphasis on “we will rig those who rig election,” the presidential hopeful warned that electoral fraud will not go unchallenged. Obi promised that the era of election rigging is over. The NDC presidential candidate assured Nigerians that he will restore the sanctity of the ballot and the era of electoral robbery must end under his watch. If he becomes the President of the country, Obi assured that nobody will rig election in the country again.

He believed that this can be achieved through electoral reforms and party discipline. He will stop the impunity of election riggers. Obi vowed that election riggers under his watch will be jailed. There is indeed no doubt that doing so will sanitize our electoral system and transform our election as one of the best in the world. Elections go peacefully in other countries, including the United States (US) from where we copied our presidential system of government. Voting in America is seamless and very simple. It is orderly and does not stop people from moving about or attending to their needs. Even in some African countries where democracy has advanced, election does not disrupt everyday life as it is done in Nigeria, whether it is a general election or off-cycle poll. But in Nigeria, we close markets, schools and some roads because of election.

Beyond ensuring our elections will no longer be rigged, Obi made far-reaching promises on how to make Nigeria better during the inauguration of the NDC Presidential Campaign Council and the unveiling of the party’s secretariat in Abuja. Obi promised emergency measures on security, agriculture, education, healthcare and electricity. He also promised to fight corruption holistically, insecurity, poverty and the increasing cost of living. He also said that Nigerians will see measurable improvements in governance beginning from day one of NDC administration.

He pointed out that “Nigeria needed a fundamental change in leadership and public resource management, insisting that government must focus on solving problems rather than blaming political opponents or previous administrations.” According to Obi, “the purpose of governance is to solve problems, not to blame people. Kwankwaso and I will not blame anybody. We will create that new Nigeria that is possible.” He also assured that an NDC-led government would take decisive action against the diversion of public funds and ensure resources are used for the benefit of the citizens. “We must stop people from stealing public money for public good. And that will be seen, it will be shown,” he stated.

No doubt, Obi touched on issues that affect Nigerians. Public corruption is an endemic disease that must be cured. If we allow corruption to thrive, it will kill the country. Tackling insecurity, poverty and rising cost of living is welcome. However, he should come up with realistic templates and timelines to tackle these enormous challenges. The nation’s insecurity has apparently defied all applied logic and strategies, including kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

Obi should tell us what he will do differently to holistically overcome it. The promise to tackle poverty and rising cost of living is timely and germane. It will resonate with many Nigerians, old and young voters who desire to see a Nigeria that works. Nigerians want to see a system that works which will inspire people to do great things for the country. The leadership challenge in the country is real and a present danger as one of my colleagues would say during our debate.

I agree with Obi that a new Nigeria is possible. What we actually need is to put right things in place and recruit the right people to do the job. Good governance is not a rocket science. It requires deliberate planning and decisive actions. Nation-building may take a while to achieve. But ours has lasted for too long. The world is not waiting for us to do a catch-up. For us to make it like other nations, massive investment in education, health and agriculture is the way to go.

There is need for heavy investment in power, road infrastructure and others. If Obi could fix the power sector if elected the next president, Nigerians would be happy for that. The Obi/Kwankwaso combo has come up with new ideas on how to achieve good and effective governance if given the chance in the 2027 presidential election. As they move ahead in the campaigns, there is hope that their manifesto will resonate with millions of Nigerians, especially on how they will tackle the excruciating poverty and economic hardship in the country arising from fuel subsidy removal, floating of the naira and other policies of this administration.

Let them marshal out plans to create more jobs as well as pragmatic initiatives to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty as was done in India, China, Bangladesh and other countries. Obi’s stand against rigging of elections should be supported by all lovers of democracy and our country. Election rigging is a dent on our democracy. Let the votes determine the winner of our election.