By Derick peretengboro

ABUJA — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his major concern ahead of the 2027 general election is not whether he emerges victorious, but whether Nigerians can successfully protect their votes and ensure that their choices are reflected in the final results.

Obi stated this during a thank-you tour of the Kogi East Senatorial District, where he campaigned in support of the NDC senatorial candidate for the district, Peter Ameh.

The former Anambra State governor said the credibility of the electoral process was more important to him than the eventual outcome of the election.

According to him, Nigerians must take responsibility for ensuring that the 2027 election is free, fair and credible.

«“I am moving around Nigeria to see how we can do the right thing. I want the next set of governance to focus on how our children will be in school, how our environment will be secured, and how our people can earn a decent living,” Obi said.

He urged voters in Kogi East and across the country to remain vigilant on election day and ensure that their ballots are properly protected and counted.

My charge to the people here is that they must ensure that there is a free, fair and credible election. This time round, our votes must count. Nigerians must elect those who will lead them,” he said.

Obi had, days earlier, told supporters at an “Obi Talks Nigeria” town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that he was prepared to risk his life in defence of the votes of Nigerians.

He warned voters against allowing themselves to be intimidated at polling units or prevented from monitoring the counting and transmission of election results.

Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booths,” Obi declared.

The NDC presidential candidate argued that voters significantly outnumber electoral officials and security personnel at polling units, urging citizens to collectively insist on the protection of their votes.

He also expressed concerns over possible attempts to manipulate the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV), saying his supporters would be prepared to respond to technical challenges or other circumstances that could affect the electronic transmission of results.

There will be so many IReVs this time. This time around, if there is a network glitch, we will give them another one that has no glitch,” Obi said.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to tolerate electoral irregularities while the country continues to grapple with serious economic and social challenges.

He stressed that Nigerians must be determined to reclaim the electoral process and elect leaders of their choice.

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,” Obi declared.»

Kogi East Demands Better Representation

Meanwhile, the NDC senatorial candidate for Kogi East, Peter Ameh, said the district possesses abundant natural resources but continues to suffer from poor infrastructure and inadequate public services.

Ameh highlighted the area’s fertile agricultural land and mineral resources, arguing that its natural wealth should translate into improved living standards for residents.

He lamented the poor state of infrastructure in the district, despite the level of economic activity taking place within the area.

Kogi East is really blessed. We should not have decayed infrastructure. You can see about 200 trucks leaving the coal site daily,” Ameh said.

Describing the situation as painful, Ameh maintained that effective representation at the National Assembly could help draw greater attention to the challenges confronting the district.

«“It is painful that we find ourselves in this deplorable state, but we can do something about it. We can have representatives in the legislature who will be at the National Assembly to speak for the people and raise the challenges confronting our communities,” he said.»

Ameh also raised concerns over the state of primary healthcare services across Kogi State, alleging that residents across the nine local government areas were poorly served.

«“Our primary healthcare system here in Kogi is dead across the nine local government areas. It is time for us to look at the track records of the candidates contesting elections and assess who can genuinely represent the people at the National Assembly,” he said.

The senatorial candidate further said his political ambition was secondary to the interests of the people he seeks to represent.

For me, I have already buried my personal interest in ensuring that the interests of the people become our interest. The people must come first,” Ameh added.»

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, Obi’s remarks are likely to further intensify discussions around electoral credibility, voter participation and the protection of ballots as political parties begin positioning themselves for the contest.