Obi made the pledge on Wednesday, October 28, during an NDC town hall meeting in Nasarawa State, where he addressed supporters on electoral integrity, candidates’ qualifications and accountability in the conduct of elections.
Responding to a question about electoral manipulation, the former Anambra State governor assured supporters that his party would resist any attempt to rig 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,” he said.
Obi said that, if elected president, his administration would prioritise strengthening political parties and reforming the electoral process to prevent manipulation.
“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 stated.
The NDC candidate also proposed stricter requirements for individuals seeking elective positions, insisting that candidates’ educational qualifications must be transparent and verifiable.
“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,” Obi said.
He warned that anyone who falsifies academic certificates or misrepresents their educational qualifications would face imprisonment.
“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” he added.
Obi extended his warning to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other individuals involved in election administration, declaring that anyone caught manipulating election results under his administration would be prosecuted.
“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with elections under my watch that rigs elections will go to jail,” he said.
The former governor maintained that his proposed reforms would be anchored on the rule of law, with everyone held accountable regardless of their position in society.
“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. “Nobody must be above the law; nobody will behave rascally.”
Obi told supporters that his presidential ambition was driven by the desire to transform Nigeria and build institutions that uphold electoral integrity and accountability.
“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,” he added.
