Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to jail anyone found guilty of election rigging under his administration, saying the punishment would apply even if only one vote was manipulated.

Obi made the declaration during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as he outlined his position on electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said.

The NDC candidate also pledged that political parties, including opposition parties, would not be harassed under his administration.

He said opposition parties would be involved in decisions on matters of national importance, including when the President is outside the country.

“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.

Obi also promised to remain physically present in Nigeria and said Nigerians would not have to search for him while he was in office.

“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.

Obi recalls campaign access in Anambra

The former Anambra State governor criticised restrictions on campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ affiliations.

He cited his tenure as governor of Anambra, recalling occasions when politicians campaigning for other candidates were allowed to operate in the state.

Obi said he provided his official vehicle for former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola when Fashola visited Anambra to campaign.

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a campaign for Andy Uba, despite Obasanjo publicly praising Obi while urging voters to support Uba.

Obi said such conduct reflected what he considered to be democratic practice.

Anambra debt controversy

On the dispute over Anambra State’s finances after his tenure, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123m in debt.

He maintained that he did not borrow from any financial institution or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra during his eight years in office.

Obi said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18m when he assumed office and approximately $30m when he left in March 2014.

He also claimed that the state had more than $150m in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he said generated about $10m annually.

Obi urged ARISE NEWS to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks, referring to documents he said were part of his handover records.

Obi says he has no quarrel with Soludo

Addressing his relationship with current Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said there was no dispute between them.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo,” he said.

He added that he respected Soludo as the governor of his home state.

Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s time outside Nigeria, arguing that the President’s physical presence was important during periods of crisis.

“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation,” he said.

Obi rejects reported Kwankwasiyya campaign council

Obi also distanced himself from a reported campaign council formed by the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement.

He said the group did not have his approval and should function as a support group rather than a parallel political structure.

“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said.

On possible cooperation among opposition politicians, Obi said discussions could include a presidential candidate stepping aside if that would strengthen the opposition’s chances of achieving a free, fair and credible election.

“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion,” he said.

Obi said opposition parties should focus on preventing electoral violence, ensuring credible elections and campaigning on issues affecting Nigerians.

His latest comments form part of his broader campaign emphasis on electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 election. In an earlier ARISE interview, he said his team would independently monitor and transmit polling-unit results alongside the official process.