Obi made the pledge on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during an NDC town hall meeting in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where he outlined his proposed reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system.
The former Anambra State governor said his administration would prioritise strengthening political parties, improving electoral processes and enforcing the rule of law to prevent electoral manipulation and restore public confidence in elections.
He maintained that electoral fraud would no longer be tolerated, warning that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other individuals found culpable in manipulating election results would face legal consequences, including imprisonment.
According to Obi, strengthening political parties and electoral institutions is essential to ensuring that elections reflect the genuine wishes of the electorate.
The NDC presidential candidate also advocated stricter educational requirements for individuals seeking elective offices, insisting that prospective candidates should demonstrate that they attended primary and secondary school.
He warned that anyone who forged academic certificates or falsely claimed to possess the required educational background should be held accountable under the law.
Obi argued that candidates seeking public office must comply with established requirements, adding that no individual should be exempt from legal scrutiny because of political influence, wealth or social status.
He said the country needed a political system in which electoral rules were respected and public officials were held accountable for their actions.
The former governor further emphasised that his proposed reforms would apply to everyone involved in the electoral process, regardless of their position or influence.
Obi said his political ambition was driven by the desire to build a Nigeria where institutions function effectively, elections are credible and the rule of law applies equally to all citizens.
He stressed that strengthening electoral laws and enforcing penalties against electoral offenders would help discourage manipulation and improve public trust in democratic institutions.
The NDC candidate’s remarks come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with electoral transparency, result transmission and the prosecution of electoral offenders emerging as major issues in the debate over Nigeria’s democratic future.
His proposals would require effective legal enforcement and appropriate institutional safeguards to ensure that investigations and prosecutions are conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.
Any proposed changes to educational qualifications for candidates would also need to operate within Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable.
