Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that free and fair elections in Nigeria will only be possible when honest individuals take charge of the process.
He made the disclosure while speaking at the launch of two books on Internal Security and Election Security, authored by former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, in Abuja.
According to Obi, election malpractice thrives because some politicians are determined to manipulate the system.
“Election security will be easy if we don’t have people who are ready to steal the elections,” Obi declared.
He argued that the problem is not the security agencies or election officials but the politicians who attempt to influence them for their own gain. According to him, if leaders decide to be fair, Nigeria will have better elections, which will, in turn, improve governance and reduce insecurity.
“If politicians decide to do the right thing, criminality will reduce,” Obi stated. “Ending electoral malpractice must begin with those in power being committed to fair play.”
Obi also shared his experience during his second-term election as Governor of Anambra State. He credited former President Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring that the election was free and fair.
“I told President Jonathan that I did not want a single vote that did not belong to me,” he said. “I asked him to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police conducted a free and fair election for the sake of peace.”
He explained that he personally requested the removal of certain political operatives from Anambra State to prevent interference. “When PDP officials came to my state, I called the President and told him I wanted them to leave. Within minutes, he acted, and they left the state,” Obi said, emphasizing Jonathan’s commitment to fairness.
On the issue of national security, Obi linked rising crime rates to corruption among public officials. He argued that if public funds were used properly, the police and other security agencies would be better equipped to maintain law and order. “If we stop stealing as public officers, the police will do their jobs more effectively, and the criminals will be easier to handle,” he stated.
He also praised Solomon Arase for his professionalism and integrity during his tenure as Inspector General of Police. “He is a first-class police officer who performed his duties professionally,” Obi said. “I appreciate his work and his contribution through these books on internal and election security.”