Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has emphasized that credible elections in Nigeria are possible—provided the right individuals oversee the process.
Speaking at the book launch of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase in Abuja, Obi underscored the importance of leadership integrity in electoral credibility.
Drawing from his experience as governor, Obi recalled his time under former President Goodluck Jonathan, where he personally ensured a transparent electoral process in his state.
“I can’t speak on election policing, but I can say that the outcome of elections depends on who is in charge. I have witnessed a free and fair election before. During my second tenure as governor, I went to President Jonathan and told him, ‘Mr. President, I don’t want a single vote that doesn’t belong to me. Let the election be free and fair.’”
He recounted an instance where he took a stand against political interference in his state.
“When PDP members tried to influence the election, I called the president and said, ‘Sir, I’m in my village. I don’t want people roaming around, disrupting the process.’ Within minutes, he acted, and they left,” Obi said.
He stressed that electoral integrity is tied to the individuals managing the process.
“Fair elections are not about the system; they are about the people. If those in charge are honest, we will have credible elections. But if corruption persists in our electoral system, politicians will keep engaging in malpractice, and the cycle of crime will continue.”
On security, Obi pointed to corruption among public officials as a major factor fueling crime.
“We cannot address security issues without tackling corruption at the top. When public officers steal, criminals take cues from them. Even the police will function better when there is accountability. The key to effective election security is leadership that prioritizes fairness over manipulation.”
