The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 general elections and ensure their votes are protected from the polling unit through to the final declaration of results.
Obi made the appeal in a post on his official X handle after a series of engagements with party supporters, stakeholders and residents in Kogi, Benue and Enugu states.
The former Anambra State governor said his latest round of consultations began in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where he met with party members and stakeholders alongside the NDC’s Kogi East Senatorial candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh.
According to Obi, the discussions focused on pressing issues affecting Nigerians, including insecurity, healthcare, education, unemployment and poverty.
He urged his supporters to remain committed to the democratic process and play their part in ensuring that votes cast during the election 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.
Obi Highlights Security, Jobs and Better Public Services
Obi also visited Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State, where he interacted with residents and traders along the routes.
He said the concerns raised by residents were largely similar across the communities, with citizens calling for improved security, employment opportunities, functional hospitals and schools, and better economic prospects.
“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 former Anambra governor’s latest appeal 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.”
Obi also warned that there could be attempts to manipulate the electoral process but expressed confidence that Nigerians would be better prepared to resist such efforts.
Obi Seeks Second Consecutive Presidential Bid
Obi is seeking the Nigerian presidency for a second consecutive time after contesting the 2023 election under the Labour Party.
He finished third in that election with 6,101,533 votes, behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who received 6,984,520 votes, and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won with 8,794,726 votes.
Obi and the Labour Party challenged the outcome in court, alleging electoral irregularities. However, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition in September 2023, while the Supreme Court later upheld Tinubu’s victory.
Ahead of the 2027 election, opposition parties and politicians have intensified efforts to form alliances and realign politically.
Obi has since moved to the NDC, which unveiled him as its presidential candidate in May. He is running with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Atiku Abubakar, another major opposition contender, is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi serving as his running mate.
President Bola Tinubu is also expected to seek a second term in office.
2027 Election Timetable
According to the timetable cited in the report, the 2027 general elections are scheduled to commence on January 16, 2027.
The final register of voters is expected to be released on January 11, followed by the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16.
Political campaigns are scheduled to end on February 18. If required, a presidential runoff would take place on February 28, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
With the election approaching, Obi’s call for voters to actively participate and protect their ballots is expected to remain a key part of his campaign message as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.
