Obi calls for collective action to rescue Nigeria

The presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to resist intimidation and defend their votes in the 2027 general election.

Obi spoke on Thursday during a town hall meeting with supporters in Port Harcourt, where he pledged to stand alongside Nigerians determined to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

“Don’t be intimidated,” the former Anambra State governor said. “Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’ Let me tell you, I’m equally ready to die. So you’re not alone.”

Obi said the immediate responsibility of citizens was to demand that their votes be counted and the will of the electorate respected.

“All they want is for you to defend and demand that the vote must count. And that is the demand we are going to make, and make aggressively,” he said.

He warned that attempts could be made to manipulate the electoral process but expressed confidence that Nigerians would mount stronger resistance to any irregularities.

“Yes, they will try to manipulate it. But let me tell you, it will not be easy this time,” Obi said.

The NDC candidate also encouraged Nigerians to participate actively in political campaigns, arguing that rescuing the country required collective action rather than leaving the responsibility to politicians alone.

He warned that allowing electoral irregularities and poor governance to continue would deepen the country’s economic and social problems.

“By allowing them to continue, that glitch will glitch our life. That’s why we are suffering today,” he said.

Obi also linked the problems facing Nigeria’s petroleum industry to what he described as poor political leadership.

“Our refinery is bad because our leadership is bad,” he said.