2027: Peter Obi calls on Nigerians to defend votes

By Jude Opara

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting the integrity of the electoral process, saying the credibility of future elections ultimately depends on the resolve of the electorate.
Obi made the remarks on Friday while speaking with journalists after attending the burial of Pa Simon Okorie Abaa, father of the NDC’s Ebonyi South senatorial candidate, Chief Linus Okorie, at Isiama Primary School in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Responding to questions about the 2027 elections, the former Anambra State governor said his confidence lies more in the determination of Nigerians than in electoral institutions, insisting that citizens have the power to ensure that their votes count.
According to him, Nigerians must reflect on the country’s current condition and decide whether to continue on the present path or demand a different future for coming generations.
Obi also decried the nation’s economic challenges, lamenting what he described as rising poverty and hunger across the country. He argued that the worsening living conditions were evident in communities nationwide, warning that millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet basic needs.
Addressing fears of intimidation during the elections, the NDC flagbearer maintained that Nigerians were already enduring severe hardship caused by the country’s economic situation, urging citizens to reject any further form of oppression and insist on positive change.
Obi, who attended the funeral to honour the family of Chief Linus Okorie, described their relationship as longstanding, noting that they had worked together in the Labour Party before joining the NDC.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for strength for the bereaved family.