By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq.
Democracy cannot survive where political ambition is elevated above human life, threats of violence are presented as electoral strategy, and those seeking public office appear prepared to dismiss the courts. This is the grave concern arising from the reported “rig and die” declaration by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the Senate, licensed legal practitioner and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
At a campaign event in Uvwie, Omo-Agege reportedly warned that anyone who manipulated the 2027 election would be killed, adding that there would be “no court this time.” These statements, taken together, are deeply troubling. “Rig and die” is not a democratic doctrine, and “no courts this time” is not a credible commitment to the rule of law. The APC condemns any political rhetoric that threatens human life or suggests that electoral grievances should be settled outside lawful institutions.
What makes the reported declaration particularly disturbing is the identity of the person to whom it is attributed. Omo-Agege is not only a former Deputy President of the Senate but also a lawyer trained in the principles of justice and due process. He should understand that no individual has the authority to investigate, convict and execute anyone suspected of electoral malpractice. His professional background and former national office make the need for responsible public conduct especially compelling.
The questions are unavoidable: who determines that an election has been rigged, who identifies the alleged perpetrators, what evidence establishes their culpability, and under what lawful authority would anyone be killed? Electoral fraud is a serious offence that must be investigated and punished in accordance with the law. But threatening death is fundamentally different from promising prosecution. The former raises the spectre of extrajudicial violence; the latter affirms lawful accountability.
The reported assertion that there would be “no court this time” is equally unacceptable if meant literally. Courts exist to resolve disputes, evaluate evidence and protect citizens against arbitrary punishment. A lawyer and former presiding officer of the National Assembly should appreciate that judicial remedies are not optional conveniences to be discarded when political tensions rise. No ambition for public office can justify substituting personal judgment or mob action for due process.
The APC’s position is clear. Electoral malpractice must be prevented, exposed and punished, but always within the law. INEC has statutory responsibilities for administering elections, security agencies investigate suspected offences, and courts adjudicate disputes within their jurisdiction. Any candidate who suspects a plan to manipulate the vote should document the evidence and report it to the appropriate authorities. There is no contradiction between defending the ballot and respecting the law; indeed, one depends on the other.
Law-enforcement agencies should impartially assess the reported statements, their context and the available evidence to determine whether further action is warranted under applicable law. If an offence is established, the law should take its course; if the evidence does not support prosecution, that conclusion must also be respected. The objective must be accountability, not political persecution. Omo-Agege’s political affiliation and former public office should neither shield him from legitimate scrutiny nor prejudice the outcome of any investigation.
Reports of reactions from civil society and youth representatives have also highlighted the potential consequences of inflammatory political language. The people most likely to bear the human cost of election-related violence are often ordinary voters, polling officials, party agents, security personnel, traders and young people mobilised into confrontations they did not create.
Politicians may exchange accusations from campaign platforms, but ordinary citizens and their families are left to live with the consequences. No election is worth a single Nigerian life.
The Delta State Government has similarly urged political actors to exercise restraint and report suspected electoral malpractice to security agencies rather than resort to jungle justice. That position reflects the government’s responsibility to protect lives, preserve public order and safeguard democratic participation. As the 2027 elections approach, all candidates and parties must be able to campaign freely, and every eligible voter must be able to make a choice without intimidation. The security agencies must remain impartial, regardless of the political status of those involved.
Senator Omo-Agege is contesting the Delta Central senatorial seat on the NDC platform, while Senator Ede Dafinone represents the APC in the contest. This is a political competition that should be determined by the electorate through a free, fair and credible process. The NDC appears to be confident in its platform and candidate, but the proper expression of that confidence is through public engagement, effective representation and a persuasive account of its record and plans, not threats against alleged electoral offenders.
If Omo-Agege believes that electoral malpractice is being planned, he should present credible evidence to the relevant authorities and encourage his supporters to protect their votes peacefully. He should also clarify what he meant by “rig and die” and “no court this time.” Was the language intended as hyperbole, or should voters understand it as a declaration that alleged offenders would face violence outside the judicial process? A clear disavowal of violence and an unequivocal commitment to lawful dispute resolution would address the central concern.
The NDC also has a responsibility to make its position clear on threats of electoral violence and the rejection of lawful remedies. These standards must apply equally to every political party. If an APC politician made an equivalent declaration, the same questions and scrutiny would be justified. The defence of democracy loses credibility when accountability is selective. No political party should encourage violence, intimidate voters or suggest that its supporters can determine guilt and punishment outside the law.
The 2027 elections should focus on the issues that matter to the people of Delta Central; infrastructure, jobs, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, security and effective legislative representation. Candidates should explain their records, present practical proposals and persuade voters through ideas. Threats of death and declarations dismissing the courts distract from these responsibilities and risk deepening public anxiety about the safety and credibility of the electoral process.
The APC therefore calls on Omo-Agege to clarify his reported remarks and publicly commit to peaceful campaigning, respect for judicial institutions and the lawful resolution of electoral disputes. We urge INEC and the security agencies to take appropriate preventive measures and assess credible allegations impartially. Political parties, traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organisations and citizens must also reject violence and insist that electoral offences be addressed through lawful procedures.
Let there be no ambiguity whatsoever. Electoral fraud must not be tolerated, but neither must threats of extrajudicial killing. A candidate cannot credibly defend electoral integrity by appearing to undermine the legal institutions that protect it. The distinction is fundamental. The ballot must be protected from manipulation, citizens must be protected from intimidation, and every allegation must be tested against evidence and the law, not settled by political anger or force.
“Rig and die” is a dangerous proposition; “no courts this time” is an equally troubling repudiation of judicial process if intended literally. Coming from a licensed lawyer and former Deputy President of the Senate, these reported statements warrant serious public scrutiny and a clear explanation. Omo-Agege is entitled to due process, but he is not entitled to have potentially dangerous political rhetoric dismissed simply because he once occupied high public office. The appropriate authorities must determine whether the evidence warrants further action.
Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford to normalise threats of extrajudicial violence, whoever makes them. The ballot must prevail over the bullet; evidence must prevail over suspicion; and the law must prevail over personal vengeance.
No political ambition is worth the life of a single Nigerian, and no candidate is above the law. Delta Central belongs to its people, and its future must be determined by their votes, protected by constitutional safeguards and secured through peaceful democratic participation.
