ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned that Nigerians will resist any attempt to undermine their votes in the 2027 general election, insisting that the choice of the electorate must be respected.
Obi spoke on Thursday at an NDC town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, engaged with residents as part of their preparations for the 2027 election.
Vanguard reports that the former Anambra State governor said the electorate had a right to have its votes properly counted and its mandate respected, warning that Nigerians would no longer accept a situation where their choices at the polls were disregarded.
“Our votes this time must count, and whoever doesn’t count it, we will count the person,” Obi said.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the prevailing political situation in the country, challenging politicians seeking elective positions to come before the people and explain what they intend to do if elected.
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“We’ve had enough of this nonsense, so I assure you, let whoever wants to be anything come out and speak to us,” he said.
Obi said the purpose of the town hall was to provide an avenue for him and Kwankwaso to listen directly to Nigerians, understand their concerns and respond to their questions.
“That’s what Rabiu Kwankwaso and I are going to do this afternoon. We want to listen to you and answer your questions,” he said.
The NDC candidate stressed that meaningful leadership required direct interaction between those seeking public office and the citizens they hoped to govern.
He said political leaders should not depend on intermediaries to communicate with the electorate, insisting that anyone seeking to lead the country must be ready to engage directly with Nigerians.
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“Leadership cannot be outsourced. If you want to lead, you have to talk to the people,” Obi said.
He further promised that, if elected president, he would maintain regular communication with Nigerians and make himself accessible to citizens.
According to Obi, Nigerians would be entitled to know their president, his plans and his position on issues affecting the country.
“As your chief servant, I will be speaking to Nigerians daily and monthly. Every Nigerian will have an opportunity to know who I am,” he said.
The former Anambra governor’s comments come as political parties and presidential hopefuls intensify grassroots mobilisation and public engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.