By Kingston Magare 9.11.2026
The “rig and die” slogan currently making round in the Nigerian political space ahead of the 2027 elections is not sitting well with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Opposition parties’ figures frightened by the ruling party All Progressives Congress rigging machine had coined the slogan to warn electoral officials who aid and abet election riggers they will die if they dare rig the elections. But according to the INEC this is a call to violence.
INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, sounded that the alarm during a media engagement forum for journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones in Enugu.
He urged politicians to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric and threats capable of endangering ordinary Nigerians engaged as presiding officers, ad hoc staff, party agents and election observers.
He stressed that disagreements over electoral outcomes should be resolved through lawful channels, including complaints to INEC, security agencies and the courts, rather than violence.
“Results are declared only by the Commission through its duly appointed returning officers. Projections and unofficial figures must be clearly labelled as such,” he said.
INEC officials under pressure to deliver free and fair elections.