The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to turn out in large numbers for the 2027 general elections and defend their votes from the polling unit through to the final declaration of results.

Obi made the call in a post on his official X handle, following a series of engagements with party supporters, stakeholders and residents across Kogi, Benue and Enugu states.

The former Anambra State governor said he began the latest leg of his engagements in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where he met with stakeholders and party members alongside the NDC’s Kogi East Senatorial candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh.

Peter Obi and supporters

According to Obi, the discussions centred on some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, healthcare, education, unemployment and poverty.

He stated that his supporters must remain committed to the democratic process and play an active role in ensuring that their votes are protected.

“We urged our supporters to remain dedicated to the democratic process, turn out in large numbers to vote, and, above all, safeguard and defend their votes from the polling unit through the final declaration of results,” Obi said.

The NDC candidate also visited Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State, where he interacted with residents and traders operating along the routes.

He said the concerns raised during the engagements were largely similar, particularly the need for security, jobs, functional hospitals and schools, and opportunities for citizens to improve their livelihoods.

“Across all these engagements, the concerns expressed by our people remain essentially the same. They seek security in their communities, meaningful employment opportunities for our youths, access to properly functioning hospitals and schools for their children, and the means and resources to lead decent, dignified lives

“These are not excessive demands. They represent the basic expectations citizens hold of a government dedicated to their welfare. As we move forward on this journey, our message remains unequivocal: Nigeria can succeed, and government can be made to serve its people,” Obi said.

‘Ready To Die’

The ex-Anambra governor’s latest call came days after he told supporters at a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that he was prepared to stand with Nigerians seeking to protect their votes ahead of the 2027 election.

Responding to a supporter who said Nigerians were “ready to die” to defend their mandate, Obi said, “Don’t be intimidated. Somebody said, ‘We are ready to die.’

“Let me tell you, I’m equally ready to die. So you’re not alone.”

The presidential hopeful also warned that attempts could be made to manipulate the electoral process but expressed confidence that Nigerians would be better prepared to resist such efforts.

Presidential Race

A photo combo of Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Obi is seeking the presidency for a second consecutive time after his 2023 run under the Labour Party, when he finished third with 6,101,533 votes behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 6,984,520, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won with 8,794,726 votes.

Obi and the Labour Party challenged the result in court, alleging electoral irregularities. The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed his petition in September 2023, while the Supreme Court subsequently upheld Tinubu’s victory.

Ahead of the 2027 election, opposition politicians have been engaged in realignment and coalition-building. This time, Obi has moved to the NDC, which unveiled him as its presidential candidate in May. He is running alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.

His major opposition rival, Atiku, is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

The incumbent president, Tinubu, will also be seeking a second term for the nation’s top job.

The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin on January 16, 2027, according to the INEC timetable. The final voter register is expected on January 11, followed by presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16.

Political campaigns will end on February 18, with a possible runoff scheduled for February 28, while governorship and State Assembly elections are set for March 6, 2027. (Channels)