The 2027 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Development Congress, Peter Obi, has explained his recent remark that he was ready to “die” for his votes, stressing that the statement was symbolic and not an endorsement of violence.
Obi explained that the comment was made in response to a participant at a recent gathering in Port Harcourt who declared that Nigerians were prepared to die in defence of their votes.
The former Anambra State governor gave the clarification during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, saying his response was intended to emphasise his determination to ensure that votes cast by Nigerians are protected and properly counted.
“Well, you see, people didn’t listen. What I did in Port Harcourt is more of listening to the people. It wasn’t me talking. They were asking questions.
“And one of them said, we are prepared to die this time to defend our votes. And I said to encourage them that I’m prepared to die with them. It’s symbolic.
“What we are saying is that we are prepared to ensure that our vote counts, and it must count.”
The remark had attracted attention after Obi told supporters in Port Harcourt that he was prepared to die to protect his votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
When asked how he intended to ensure that votes were properly counted, Obi said his team would monitor results at polling units and transmit the figures to its situation room.
“We must make sure that at every polling unit, the votes are counted, the votes are recorded properly, the votes are transmitted properly.
“And we will have even a dual transmission so that as it’s going to the proper designated INEC portal, it’s also being transmitted where the people can see it.”
Responding to a question on whether having multiple systems to monitor election results amounted to creating a parallel system, Obi rejected the suggestion.
“No, not at all. All we are saying is that this time around, we will make sure that in every polling unit, we must have a system that transmits to our own situation room the correct results.
“And I’m sure there’s so many other agencies that intend to do the same thing. So we’re not going to have a situation where somebody just pronounces something that didn’t emanate from the polling unit.
“Our task is to make sure that the right things are done,” Obi replied.
Obi also confirmed that his team would operate an alternative system for recording results from polling units, insisting that the arrangement was designed to promote transparency rather than conduct a parallel election.
He maintained that achieving a free and transparent election was possible, pointing to Ghana as an example of a country where such elections take place.
“There’s nothing difficult in having a simple, free, transparent election. It happens in Ghana, across here. It happens everywhere.
“So why would we always be involved in something that is negative?” he asked.
Obi further framed the 2027 presidential election as a contest between Nigerians and the government, rather than one centred primarily on political parties.
“This election, remember, is not about parties. It’s people versus the government. Nigeria was getting it right this time,” he said.
