The expression was directed at individuals who manipulate election results, falsify figures or steal electoral materials, insisting that it was intended to discourage electoral fraud and protect democracy
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Senator Ovie Omo Agege has defended his declaration that the 2027 elections will be a case of “rig and die,” describing the statement as a warning against electoral malpractice rather than a call for violence.
In a press statement dated October 27 2026, and signed by Godwin Anaughe, Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to Omo Agege, the former Deputy President of the Senate criticised the Delta State Government, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and media collaborators over their reactions to the remark.
The statement described the responses from the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, and Chairman of the Delta APC Campaign Council’s Media and Publicity Committee, Charles Aniagwu, as well as Senator Ede Dafinone’s camp, as attempts to misrepresent Omo Agege’s position.
It maintained that the expression was directed at individuals who manipulate election results, falsify figures or steal electoral materials, insisting that it was intended to discourage electoral fraud and protect democracy.
According to the statement, electoral rigging amounts to a betrayal of the people’s mandate and contradicts Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits the assumption of government power outside constitutional provisions.
It further argued that the phrase “rig and die” signifies resistance to electoral manipulation, including the falsification of results, impersonation of security personnel and INEC officials, vote buying and the circumvention of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The statement alleged that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Dafinone and the APC could not win a free and fair election, claiming that their political prospects depended on manipulating results. It also accused Oborevwori of spending over ₦5 trillion without commensurate achievements and alleged that Dafinone lacked grassroots support and a legislative record to campaign on.
To support its position, the statement cited previous political remarks, including the “rig and roast” warning reportedly made by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then APC National Leader, in April 2014 concerning elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
It also referenced President Muhammadu Buhari’s February 2019 directive that ballot box snatchers should be shot on sight, noting that the Federal Executive Council supported the position.
The statement questioned why similar reactions were not directed at the earlier remarks by Tinubu and Buhari, describing the criticism of Omo Agege as hypocrisy and selective remembrance.
It also recalled the October 12, 2013, Delta Central senatorial bye election held to replace the late Senator Pius Ewherido, during which Dafinone, then the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate, reportedly alleged that voting had not taken place and accused INEC of withholding result sheets.
On the controversy surrounding the Senate mace incident, the statement rejected allegations that Omo Agege had stolen the mace, explaining that he had returned to the Senate chamber to resume his duties after obtaining a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his suspension.
According to the statement, the court declared the suspension unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal. It maintained that Omo Agege’s actions were intended to defend the Constitution, judicial authority and legislative independence, adding that the courts subsequently exonerated him.
The statement also noted that Deltans returned Omo Agege to the Senate and that his colleagues later elected him Deputy President of the Senate, describing the position as the highest office held by a Deltan.
It drew a parallel between the Senate incident and Omo Agege’s “rig and die” declaration, arguing that both were intended to defend democracy against what it described as tyranny and electoral fraud.
The statement stressed that Omo Agege did not threaten voters, INEC or the police, but warned individuals allegedly planning to intimidate voters, buy votes, deploy thugs in police uniforms or manipulate election results.
It further alleged that Omo Agege won the 2023 Delta State governorship election through lawful ballots but was denied victory through alleged rigging involving former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Oborevwori.
The statement claimed that the alleged manipulation occurred particularly in Delta North Senatorial District, including Ika North, Ika South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South. It added that Omo Agege pursued legal action but alleged that the system ultimately protected those responsible.
It also accused Oborevwori, whom it described as wearing the APC identity while retaining loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of planning similar electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the statement, Omo Agege intends to ensure that votes are defended at polling units and collation centres rather than relying on court proceedings after the election.
The statement called on INEC and security agencies to remain impartial, protect voters, count ballots accurately and ensure transparent collation of results.
It also urged voters across communities in Delta State, including Orogun, Uvwie, Udu, Ughelli, Sapele, Warri, Agbor and Asaba, to remain vigilant at polling units and ensure that votes are counted and announced accurately.
Addressing those it accused of planning electoral fraud, the statement insisted that the 2027 elections must be determined by ballots rather than fabricated results.
It concluded that the people must determine the outcome of the elections and that any attempt to manipulate the process would be met with lawful, peaceful and determined resistance at polling units.
The statement reaffirmed Omo Agege’s position, declaring that he would not apologise for his remarks, which it said reflected the desire to protect the people’s mandate and prevent electoral malpractice.