Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has issued a stern warning against electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that anyone caught rigging the polls would face deadly consequences.
Omo-Agege made the controversial remark while addressing supporters at a campaign event as he prepares to contest the Delta Central Senatorial District seat in the 2027 elections under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“I want to make news again: Anybody who rig election that day, we will kill him. Rig and die. If you don’t value your life, come and rig election,” he declared.
The former lawmaker said electoral fraud undermines democracy and deprives citizens of their constitutional right to freely choose their leaders.
He warned those planning to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 elections against doing so, arguing that the consequences of electoral malpractice extend beyond individual candidates to voters and future generations.
Omo-Agege also criticised the practice of advising politicians who allege electoral fraud to seek redress in court, suggesting that the judicial process should not be used as an excuse to tolerate election manipulation.
CONTROVERSY OVER VIOLENT LANGUAGE
The former Deputy Senate President’s declaration has raised concerns about the language political actors are using ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the demand for credible elections is legitimate, threatening to kill suspected election riggers raises questions about the appropriate boundaries of political rhetoric in a democratic society.
Electoral offences should be investigated by the relevant authorities, with suspects prosecuted through established legal procedures. No political figure or group has the right to impose extrajudicial punishment on anyone accused of electoral malpractice.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and civil society organisations are expected to play their respective roles in ensuring that the electoral process is transparent, peaceful and credible.
OMO-AGEGE’S POLITICAL JOURNEY
Omo-Agege represented Delta Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and served as Deputy President of the Senate during the Ninth National Assembly.
He left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2026 following political developments within the party in Delta State and subsequently joined the NDC.
His return bid to the Senate comes amid political realignments and preparations by parties and aspirants seeking to strengthen their positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Delta Central senatorial contest is expected to attract considerable attention, given Omo-Agege’s political profile and the broader competition for influence in Delta State.
CREDIBLE ELECTIONS OR POLITICAL INTIMIDATION?
Omo-Agege’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the challenge of electoral malpractice in Nigeria and the need to protect the integrity of the ballot.
However, the credibility of an election cannot be guaranteed through threats of violence. It requires effective electoral institutions, impartial security agencies, transparent vote counting and accountability for those who violate the law.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, Nigerians will expect political leaders to demonstrate their commitment to credible elections through lawful conduct and peaceful mobilisation.
Ultimately, the success of the electoral process will depend on whether voters can cast their ballots freely and have their choices respected without intimidation, manipulation or violence.
