Obi made the declaration during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while discussing electoral integrity, opposition politics and his plans for 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,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also promised that opposition parties would not be harassed under his administration, saying they would be involved in decisions on major national issues.
“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” Obi said.
He said opposition parties would be invited to participate in decisions involving matters of national importance, including when the President travels outside the country.
Obi also said he would remain accessible and spend more time in Nigeria if elected, insisting that Nigerians should not have to search for their president.
The NDC candidate further criticised restrictions allegedly placed on his campaign activities in some states, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.
Recalling his tenure as Anambra State governor, Obi said he allowed political opponents, including former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to campaign in the state.
On the controversy surrounding Anambra State’s debt, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123 million in debt, insisting that he did not borrow money from any financial institution or issue bonds on behalf of the state during his eight years in office.
He said Anambra’s foreign debt stood at about $18 million when he assumed office and about $30 million when he left in March 2014. Obi also claimed that he left more than $150 million in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds.
He urged ARISE NEWS to verify his claims with the World Bank and Nigerian banks, saying he had made available documents relating to his handover.
On his relationship with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said there was no dispute between them, describing Soludo as his “very respected elder brother” and saying he respected him as the governor of his state.
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu over his absence from Nigeria, arguing that the president’s physical presence was important during periods of crisis.
“I’m telling you that I will offer that. Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria,” he said.
The NDC candidate also rejected a presidential campaign council recently announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, saying the group did not have his approval.
Obi said the NDC remained the political party behind his 2027 presidential bid, while the OK Movement, Obidient groups and Kwankwasiyya should operate as support organisations rather than assume the functions of the party.
“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here,” he said.
On possible cooperation among opposition politicians, Obi said he was open to discussions that could strengthen democratic competition, including a situation where a presidential aspirant could step aside.
“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.
He urged opposition parties to focus on ensuring free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
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