2027: Peter Obi Support Group Warns Election Riggers to Write Their Wills, Vows Polling-Unit Resistance

By Our Correspondent

The Obidient Movement, a support group aligned with the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has declared that it will not rely on election tribunals to challenge alleged plans to manipulate votes in the 2027 general elections, vowing instead to ensure that citizens defend their votes at polling units and collation centres.

The movement, in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Communications Directorate, also warned that anyone planning to manipulate the 2027 election results should “write your Will now,” saying Nigerians would no longer wait until after elections to seek judicial redress.

The statement followed recent television comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, concerning the 2023 presidential election and political influence in Rivers State.

Wike had, during a TVC programme on Monday, responded to claims by Peter Obi and his supporters that Obi won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State, challenging them to demonstrate what they established before the election tribunal.

Reacting to the remarks, the Obidient Movement accused Wike of making statements which, in its interpretation, amounted to an admission of electoral manipulation.

The movement said such claims, whether made in jest, political bravado or otherwise, raised serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

“Write your Will now if you are planning to manipulate 2027 results. We are not going to court,” the statement declared.

The movement described alleged manipulation of elections by political actors as a grave threat to democracy, arguing that politicians should not be allowed to undermine citizens’ votes and subsequently rely on the lengthy judicial process to retain disputed outcomes.

It said the experience of the 2023 elections had convinced its supporters that the emphasis in 2027 should be on protecting votes from the point of casting through counting and collation, rather than depending principally on litigation after results have been declared.

The group called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to return fully to its constitutional responsibility of conducting transparent and credible elections, insisting that the commission must eliminate what it described as “internal drama” and ensure that technology is deployed effectively in the electoral process.

It also warned security agencies against becoming instruments of political manipulation during elections, urging personnel to protect voters and the electoral process rather than political interests.

According to the movement, security personnel are funded by taxpayers and must therefore act impartially in protecting citizens and their votes.

The statement further urged Nigerians to remain at polling units to monitor the counting and declaration of results and resist any attempt to alter figures after votes have been cast.

It also warned political thugs against allowing themselves to be used as “human shields” for politicians, arguing that those who deploy violence during elections should be held accountable for their actions.

The movement said the 2027 election must ultimately be decided by voters at polling units and not by political actors allegedly making decisions in private rooms.

It maintained that any public official who participates in the subversion of the electoral process should be held accountable, stressing that Nigerians would be watching the conduct of political actors, electoral officials and security personnel throughout the election process.

Wike, who has continued to play a prominent role in the political realignment ahead of 2027, has publicly reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while insisting that political parties remain free to field candidates in other elections.