Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged Nigerians to defend their votes in the 2027 election, saying the outcome will ultimately depend on the resolve of ordinary citizens rather than the electoral commission alone.

Speaking after attending a burial in Ebonyi State, Obi said his confidence rests in the determination of the Nigerian people, arguing that if citizens insist their votes will count, they will count, and urged Nigerians to reflect on what the country’s current trajectory means for the future of their children. He described efforts to change Nigeria’s direction as an ultimate sacrifice given the scale of the country’s challenges.

Obi lamented what he described as worsening poverty and hunger nationwide, noting reports that about 70 million Nigerians face acute hunger, and said no political harassment his supporters might face during the 2027 campaign could exceed the hardship Nigerians already endure daily, urging citizens to make clear that they have had enough.