Senator Victor Umeh has defended Peter Obi’s warning against manipulating votes in the 2027 general election.
Umeh described the statement as a call to duty rather than an invitation to anarchy.
The senator representing Anambra Central made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday.
Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, had recently warned that Nigerians would resist attempts to undermine their votes.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Obi said:
“Our votes this time must count, and whoever doesn’t count it, we will count the person.”
Umeh rejected suggestions that Obi’s comments were extreme or inciting.
According to him, the statement reflected what Nigerian voters would expect from the electoral process in 2027.
“I think the statement he made is not extreme. It is not inciting in any form. He merely stated what the Nigerian electorate will be expecting in 2027.”
He said the warning should instead put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission and other stakeholders.
Umeh argued that electoral authorities must ensure that declared results accurately reflect voters’ choices.
He also said a transparent process would reduce the possibility of disputes and unrest.
“There will be no room for fraud or manipulation of election results, if taken further, it is a call on the electoral umpire to ensure that what will come out of that process will be genuine and real.”
The lawmaker urged Nigerians to protect the integrity of the ballot.
He said votes cast at polling units must be properly counted and recorded. He also stressed the need for their transmission through the prescribed electoral process.
Umeh described Obi’s position as a patriotic appeal to electoral authorities.
He said the objective should be to ensure Nigerians have confidence in declared results.
“So, whether he says the people will count the votes or we count them is a call to duty and awakening the consciousness of everybody to help to protect the sanctity of the ballot box.”
Umeh maintained that credible elections remained the strongest safeguard against post-election unrest.
He argued that following the proper electoral process would remove the basis for anarchy.
“If you want to prevent anarchy, the best way to go about it is by doing what is right.”
The senator said electoral technology and proper accreditation would be important. He also mentioned voting, sorting, counting and collation as key stages.
According to him, these processes should ensure declared results correspond with votes cast.
Umeh insisted that Obi was not advocating violence.
“There will be no anarchy,” he said.
He argued that manipulation of election results, rather than Obi’s warning, would create conditions for unrest.
“When you manipulate and give false results, you are the one inviting the anarchy not Peter Obi, who is saying that the right thing should be done.”
