Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned that anyone who rigs an election under his government will go to jail.
He spoke on Wednesday at an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State.
Obi is a former governor of Anambra State.
Asked about election rigging, he said the party would not let manipulation go unchallenged in the next general election.
“You didn’t ask about what we are going to do if people rig election next year. Let me assure you, number one, this coming election, we will rig those who rig it,” Obi said.
He added that if elected, nobody would rig an election again.
“And let me assure you number two, if I’m elected the President of Nigeria, nobody will rig election in this country again because the first thing we need to do is to strengthen our parties, strengthen the process,” he said.
Jail Terms For Forgers And Officials
Obi also called for stricter rules on who can contest elections.
He said candidates should prove they attended primary and secondary school.
“Our laws will be strict. For you to contest election, you must have attended a primary school, you must have attended a secondary school and it will be visible, it will be clear,” he said.
He warned that anyone who forged certificates or falsely said they had the required qualifications would face prison.
“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” Obi said.
He extended the warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others who run elections.
INEC is the body that organises elections in Nigeria.
He said anyone found guilty of rigging under his government would be prosecuted.
“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail,” he declared.
Rule Of Law And A New Nigeria
Obi said his approach would rest on the rule of law.
“Under my watch, Nigeria must be a country that has a law, and both from the number one person to the last person must obey the rule of law,” he said.
He said his political ambition was driven by a wish to change the country and build a system in which electoral rules are respected.
“That’s why we are doing what we are doing. We want to change Nigeria. A new Nigeria is possible, and that new Nigeria will be OK,” Obi added.
