The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticized opposition politicians over the ‘rig and die’ slogan as we head towards the 2027 elections. He believes this slogan will leave them with no excuses if they lose.
Keyamo shared his thoughts in a post on his X handle on Thursday. He mentioned that those pushing this controversial slogan, made popular by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, will need to explain how many people they killed on election day to back up their claims of rigging.
The minister sarcastically suggested that everyone should accept the slogan. He said it would make it hard for opposition politicians to blame their losses on rigging after elections are held fairly.
He stated, “The new buzz phrase ‘rig and die’ should excite all of us and we should all embrace it.
“The simple reason is that when those who are now trumpeting it lose woefully in a free and fair context, it will be impossible for them to hide their humiliation at the polls under the guise of ‘rigging’ as they have always done.
“This is because we will ask them how many ‘riggers’ they killed on election day, because the number of those killed by them should be directly proportional to the amount of ‘rigging’ that took place!
“In other words, they need to show how many people they killed to prove the election was rigged!! Chai!!”
Omo-Agege, who is running for election to represent Delta Central Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, introduced the slogan during a campaign event in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on October 23.
The former senator warned that anyone caught rigging the 2027 election would be killed. He declared that there would be no court recourse.
“I want to make the news again. Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we will kill him! If you don’t value your life, come and rig the election.
“They’re rigging your future. They’re rigging the future of your children. We’re waiting for them. Let them try it. It is rig and die. We’re going to give them aura for aura. There’s no court this time. We’re going to fight,” he said.
After facing backlash for his statement, Omo-Agege defended his words through his media aide, Godwin Anaughe. He said his remarks were aimed at those who tamper with election results and steal electoral materials, not at voters or innocent citizens.
The former Deputy Senate President insisted that the slogan was a warning against election fraud and a call to protect the people's mandate.
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