Obi: Nigerians Allow Election Rigging by Not Protecting Votes

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, says elections in Nigeria are often rigged because citizens do not take charge of the electoral process and protect their votes.

Obi shared this during a visit to Washington, D.C. in a video that began trending on Saturday. He discussed the problems facing Nigeria’s democracy and the importance of citizens in making sure elections are credible.

He pointed out that politicians alone cannot ensure free and fair elections. He believes voters must be committed to defending their votes.

"Elections are rigged in Nigeria because Nigerians want it to be rigged. It’s as simple as ABC. I will do whatever is possible to protect the votes, but unless Nigerians decide that their votes will count, it will not count," he said.

Obi urged voters to stay at their polling units after casting their votes. He wants them to watch the counting process instead of leaving right after voting.

"If you vote and you stay in your polling booth and say that the votes must be counted here, it will be counted, but because our politics is transactional, the average Nigerian doesn’t know who is his problem.

"So, an average Nigerian will vote and then go home or go to night vigil, whilst his night vigil should actually be to stay and let them count his votes. But he will vote and go to night vigil on Saturday and start praying because he thinks he is the only one that God created, that God will solve all his problems," he said.

The former governor insisted that Nigeria’s main issue is poor leadership. He argued that the country has enough human and natural resources needed for growth.

"The question you all should ask yourselves today is: what is the problem of Nigeria? Nigeria has only one problem, leadership. Political leadership. Every other thing God gave to Nigeria.

"I can tell you that Nigeria is more blessed than this country. So, if Nigerians know that their problem is leadership, they will address it and insist on getting good leadership. So everybody should be part of protecting that vote," he added.

Obi emphasized that citizens should not leave the job of safeguarding the electoral process to politicians. He believes real change will happen only when people actively protect their votes and demand accountable leadership.