Peter Obi Explains Why Nigerian Elections Are Rigged
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says that elections in Nigeria are frequently manipulated because citizens do not take ownership of the electoral process and fail to safeguard their votes.
He noted that politicians alone cannot deliver credible elections unless voters are determined to defend their ballots.
Obi pointed out that electoral malpractice continues because many Nigerians leave the polling unit immediately after casting their vote, instead of staying to monitor the count.
“Elections are rigged in Nigeria because Nigerians want them to be rigged,” he stated. “It’s as simple as ABC. I will do everything possible to protect the votes, but unless Nigerians decide that their votes will count, they will not count.”
He urged voters to remain at their polling stations after voting and insist that the votes are counted transparently.
Obi added, “If you vote and stay in your polling booth demanding that the votes be counted here, they will be counted. However, because our politics is transactional, the average Nigerian does not know who his real problem is.”
“So, an average Nigerian will vote and then go home or attend a night vigil, while his night vigil should actually be to stay and watch the counting of his votes. Instead, he votes, goes to a night vigil on Saturday, and starts praying, believing he is the only person God created and that God will solve all his problems.”
The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s biggest challenge remains poor political leadership. He argued that the country possesses sufficient human and natural resources to succeed if it had the right leaders.
“The question you should ask yourselves today is: what is Nigeria’s problem? Nigeria has only one problem — leadership. Political leadership. Everything else God has given to Nigeria.”
“I can tell you that Nigeria is more blessed than many nations. If Nigerians recognize that their problem is leadership, they will address it and insist on good leadership. Everyone must therefore take part in protecting that vote,” he added.
Obi stressed that safeguarding elections should not be left to politicians alone. Meaningful change will only occur when citizens actively participate in defending their votes and demanding accountable leadership.
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