Former presidential candidate and opposition figure Peter Obi has insisted that votes in the 2027 general election “must count” and warned that anyone who tries to undermine the outcomes will face legal consequences.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi said Nigerians would no longer tolerate situations where valid votes are disregarded in the electoral process.
“Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes MUST count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria,” he wrote.
Obi urged citizens to stay at polling units after casting their ballots to observe the counting and transmission of results, calling electoral transparency essential for safeguarding democracy.
“I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to witness the counting and transmission of results,” he wrote.
His comments follow increased public concern about electoral reform, including protests outside the National Assembly in Abuja over changes to provisions on real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The protest movement has used slogans such as “Our votes must count” to press lawmakers to strengthen transparency measures in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Obi, who left the Labour Party in late 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been active in mobilising supporters and civil society groups ahead of the 2027 polls.
The 2027 general elections — which include presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly contests — are scheduled to begin with voter registration in April 2026, followed by polling in February 2027.
