Omo-Agege Defends ‘Rig And Die’ Declaration, Says Election Rigging Is Treason

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has defended his “Rig And Die” declaration ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing election rigging as treason, a coup against the people and political robbery.

Omo-Agege said he had no apology for the statement, insisting that it reflected the feelings of Nigerians opposed to electoral manipulation.

His position was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, titled: “2027: ‘Rig And Die’: In Defence of Democracy.”

The statement followed criticism from the Delta State Government, some All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the state and the camp of Senator Ede Dafinone over Omo-Agege’s declaration.

Anaughe described the reactions, including comments by 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 “contrived outrage” and “fake tears.”

He maintained that the declaration was a warning to election riggers and a defence of democracy, not a threat against voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or the police.

According to him, the warning was directed at those who intimidate voters, buy votes, use thugs dressed in police uniforms, falsify results and manipulate electoral processes.

“‘Rig And Die’ is not a threat to voters. Voters don’t rig elections. It is a threat to riggers who falsify election figures and results. Those who cart and run away with electoral materials. It is a patriotic warning to ballot thieves to stay away,” the statement said.

Anaughe argued that the declaration was lawful and constitutional, citing Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits the governance of Nigeria by any person or group that comes to power otherwise than in accordance with the Constitution.

He also alleged that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Dafinone and the state APC lacked the support needed to win a free and fair election, claiming that their only hope was to manipulate results. These allegations were not independently established in the statement.

To support his argument, Anaughe cited previous statements by political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, who reportedly warned in April 2014 that election riggers would face “rig and roast” in Ekiti and Osun states, and former President Muhammadu Buhari’s February 2019 directive that ballot-box snatchers should be dealt with ruthlessly.

“If Tinubu’s ‘rig and roast’ was patriotic and Buhari’s shoot-at-sight order was official policy, how does Omo-Agege’s ‘rig and die’ suddenly become anarchy? This is hypocrisy and selective amnesia,” the statement said.

The aide also recalled the October 12, 2013, Delta Central senatorial bye-election to replace the late Senator Pius Ewherido, alleging that Dafinone, who contested on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), had described the election as a sham over the alleged withholding of result sheets by INEC.

On references to the Senate mace incident, Anaughe said Omo-Agege’s presence in the Senate chamber during the incident was to resume his legislative duties after obtaining a Federal High Court judgment nullifying his suspension.

“He did not go to steal a mace and did not steal a mace. He went to resume his seat as a duly elected senator,” he said, adding that Omo-Agege was subsequently elected Deputy President of the Senate.

Anaughe further claimed that Omo-Agege won the 2023 Delta governorship election through lawful votes but was denied victory through alleged manipulation, particularly in Ika North East, Ika South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South local government areas.

He accused Oborevwori of preparing to repeat the alleged manipulation in 2027, a claim not independently verified in the statement.

The aide said Omo-Agege was determined to ensure that votes were protected at polling units and collation centres rather than relying solely on court challenges after elections.

He called on INEC and security agencies to remain impartial, protect voters, count ballots accurately and ensure honest collation of results.

The statement urged voters across Delta State to remain vigilant, insisting that the 2027 governorship election should be decided by ballots rather than manipulated results.

It added that any attempt to rig the election would be met with lawful, peaceful and resolute resistance at polling units.