Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has argued that election manipulation persists in Nigeria largely because citizens do not actively protect the electoral process.
Speaking during a visit to Washington, D.C., Obi said credible elections can only be achieved when voters take responsibility for ensuring that their votes are properly counted and protected.
According to the former Anambra State governor, politicians alone cannot guarantee free and fair elections. He stressed that Nigerians must be willing to remain at polling units after voting and monitor the counting process rather than leaving immediately after casting their ballots.
Obi noted that many voters participate in elections but fail to stay behind to witness the counting of votes, creating opportunities for irregularities. He urged citizens to become more involved in safeguarding the integrity of elections if they truly want democratic change.
The politician also described leadership as Nigeria’s greatest challenge, insisting that the country possesses abundant human and natural resources capable of driving development. He maintained that poor political leadership has prevented the nation from reaching its full potential.
Obi called on Nigerians to focus on demanding accountable leadership and actively participate in protecting the democratic process. He added that meaningful national progress would only be possible when citizens insist on transparency and ensure that their votes genuinely count.
