Obi and Ameh Call for Free and Fair Elections, Urge Voters to Protect Their Votes

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Peter Ameh, the party's candidate for Kogi East Senate, want the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the 2027 elections are fair and credible.

They made this call on Sunday in Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. This was during a thank-you tour for Ameh after he became the NDC senatorial candidate for Kogi East.

Obi received a warm welcome from thousands of supporters in Ogugu. He urged INEC to avoid any manipulation of the electoral process for any political party. He said the wishes of the Nigerian voters must be respected.

He said, "The reception is very warm. What is most important is that we want this campaign to be issue-based. We want all candidates to go round Nigeria and ask questions about the challenges confronting the people."

Obi continued, "We want to change the dynamics where people go around and ask Nigerians about their problems. When I was coming to Kogi State today, I stopped at Ugbolafo, Otukpa Junction, and asked some of our elderly people what their challenges were. This is what I want other presidential candidates to do."

He added, "I am moving around Nigeria to see how we can do the right thing. I want the next set of governance to focus on how our children will be in school, how our environment will be secured, and how our people can earn a decent living."

Obi shared his worries about the worsening economic and social conditions in Nigeria. He said the country needs a leader who can guide it out of its current problems.

He said, "I am not worried about what the outcome of the 2027 general election will be. What worries me is the people and how they will protect their votes on election day."

He added, "The votes of the people must be counted. There is hunger and poverty in the land, and that is why I came here to see what we can do to ameliorate the suffering of our people."

Obi urged the people to ensure a free and fair election. He said, "This time around, our votes must count. Nigerians must elect those who will lead them."

He told voters to pick leaders based on their skills, character, and commitment to improving Nigeria. He said, "They must do it based on competence, capacity, character, compassion and commitment to turning Nigeria around."

Obi also expressed concern about living conditions, especially in rural areas. He noted that Nigeria's agricultural potential has not been fully used.

He said, "As I moved around, I felt pain seeing how Nigerians are living. Look at our rural areas with huge farmlands. Nobody is supporting the farmers in all ramifications to enable them to produce the food we need to feed the nation."

He restated that Nigeria needs leaders with a clear vision who can change the country's current path.

High Chief Peter Ameh, the NDC Kogi East Senatorial Candidate, said the people of the region should not remain poor. He pointed out the region's fertile land and mineral resources.

Ameh said, "Kogi East is really blessed. We should not have decayed infrastructure. Despite having coal in Ankpa, the roads are bad, and people cannot access Enjema properly, despite over 200 trucks leaving the coal site daily."

He added, "It is painful that we find ourselves in this deplorable state, but we can do something about it. We can have representatives in the legislature who will be at the National Assembly to speak for the people and raise the challenges confronting our communities."

Ameh also spoke about the poor state of primary healthcare in Kogi State. He described the situation as unacceptable.

He said, "Our primary healthcare system here in Kogi is dead across the nine local government areas. It is time for us to look at the track records of the candidates contesting elections and assess who can genuinely represent the people at the National Assembly."

Ameh added, "For me, I have already buried my personal interest in ensuring that the interests of the people become our interest. The people must come first."

He mentioned that past elections had seen votes stolen and urged voters to be alert and protect their ballots in the 2027 elections.

He said, "They have served us before, but these votes were stolen. Today, we are charging the people to go out, vote and protect their votes because it is through the votes they cast that we will have good roads and basic amenities that will provide for our children and secure their future."

Ameh called for more investment in healthcare and education. He said the people deserve better facilities.

He stated, "It is necessary that our public health institutions and schools continue to have a new lease of life. Our people understand that it is time to bring in new people who are experienced, who have been able to transform their areas of responsibility and have demonstrated capacity at various levels of leadership."

He concluded, "Such people should come on board and protect our collective interests."