Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Nigerians to participate massively in the 2027 general elections and protect their votes from the polling unit to the final declaration of results.
Obi made the call in a post on his official X handle after a series of engagements with party supporters, stakeholders and residents across Kogi, Benue and Enugu states.
The former Anambra State governor began the latest phase of his engagements in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where he met with stakeholders and party members alongside the NDC’s Kogi East Senatorial candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh.
According to Obi, discussions focused on some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, healthcare, education, unemployment and poverty.
He urged his supporters to remain committed to the democratic process and take an active role in protecting their votes.
“We urged our supporters to remain dedicated to the democratic process, turn out in large numbers to vote, and, above all, safeguard and defend their votes from the polling unit through the final declaration of results,” Obi said.
Obi also visited Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State, where he interacted with residents and traders along the routes.
He said the concerns raised during the engagements were largely similar, particularly calls for improved security, employment opportunities, functional hospitals and schools, and greater economic opportunities for citizens.
“Across all these engagements, the concerns expressed by our people remain essentially the same. They seek security in their communities, meaningful employment opportunities for our youths, access to properly functioning hospitals and schools for their children, and the means and resources to lead decent, dignified lives.
“These are not excessive demands. They represent the basic expectations citizens hold of a government dedicated to their welfare. As we move forward on this journey, our message remains unequivocal: Nigeria can succeed, and government can be made to serve its people,” Obi said.
Obi Says He Is Ready to Stand With Supporters
The latest call came days after Obi told supporters at a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that he was prepared to stand with Nigerians seeking to protect their votes ahead of the 2027 election.
Responding to a supporter who said Nigerians were “ready to die” to defend their mandate, Obi said he was equally prepared to stand with them.
“Don’t be intimidated. Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’
“Let me tell you, I’m equally ready to die. So you’re not alone.”
The presidential hopeful also warned that attempts could be made to manipulate the electoral process but expressed confidence that Nigerians would be better prepared to resist such efforts.
Obi Eyes Second Presidential Bid
Obi is seeking the presidency for a second consecutive time after his 2023 campaign under the Labour Party, when he finished third with 6,101,533 votes.
He placed behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured 6,984,520 votes, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won with 8,794,726 votes.
Obi and the Labour Party challenged the result in court, alleging electoral irregularities. The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed his petition in September 2023, while the Supreme Court subsequently upheld Tinubu’s victory.
Ahead of the 2027 election, opposition politicians have intensified political realignments and coalition-building.
Obi has since moved to the NDC, which unveiled him as its presidential candidate in May. He is running alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Incumbent President Tinubu is also seeking a second term.
According to the INEC timetable, the 2027 general elections will begin on January 16, 2027, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for that date.
The final voter register is expected to be released on January 11. Political campaigns will end on February 18, while a possible presidential runoff is scheduled for February 28.
Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
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