The presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigerians could take matters into their own hands if the 2027 general election is not conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.
Speaking during an interview with Chude, Obi said the aftermath of the next election would be different from the legal battles that followed the 2023 presidential poll.
Responding to concerns that Nigeria could witness another round of post-election court cases, Obi said, “No, the people who are going to go to court now will be different. It is the people that will go to court, not the candidates.”
He further suggested that public reaction could go beyond litigation if votes are not properly counted.
“And that court, eh, it will be a different court. Because it won’t even get to court. Those who will be there will not get to court. The people will now take matters, that’s why I said, whoever doesn’t count votes in 2027, might be counted. By the people, not to me. The people are going to be the one now doing the counting,” Obi said.
When interviewer Chude noted that his comments sounded similar to remarks previously made by Seyi Makinde about “Operation Wetie,” Obi distanced himself from the comparison.
“Well, I am not talking about operation anything. Operation is that they are fighting for their life now,” he said.
Obi argued that worsening economic conditions were fueling public frustration, saying, “Because they have exhausted their reason. This country have one of the highest youth unemployment. Even those who are employed, you won’t believe it, 70% earn less, earn an average of 100,000 Naira.”
Asked what would happen if the government failed to guarantee free and fair elections in 2027, Obi reiterated, “The people who go to court will then, not the candidates.”
He added, “And that court session will be different.”
