The “rig and die” threats by some opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections have sparked fresh controversy on social media, with popular political commentator, Sam Amadi, and former presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad, expressing opposing views on the development.
DAILY POST recalls that former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, had warned that anyone who attempts to manipulate the outcome of the forthcoming elections would die.
Omo-Agege declared that the 2027 elections would be a case of “rig and die”, warning that anyone caught manipulating the results could be killed.
The remarks have since generated mixed reactions, with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, cautioning against such statements, describing them as capable of inciting violence.
The controversy resurfaced on Tuesday when political strategist and member of the Delta State APC Campaign Council, Kenny Okolugbo, appeared on Arise TV and described Omo-Agege’s comments as unfortunate.
Reacting in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, Sam Amadi questioned why a comment condemning election rigging, which he described as a known crime, should be a source of concern to some people.
He wrote, “Rig and Die. Nigerians can be both funny and illogical. Rigging of elections leads directly and indirectly to death of tens or hundreds.
“It should be a high crime to rig elections. Isn’t it shameful that a public official is concerned about the recklessness of ‘rig and die’ and not at all about the criminality of rigging election?
“Shouldn’t the ruling party that appoints the electoral mangers add a strong voice against rigging? If you do not rig, you will not die. That should end it”.
However, Bashir Ahmad, a chieftain of the APC, dismissed viral insinuations that the ruling party is fidgeting over the rig and die comment because it planned to manipulate the election.
According to him, APC, has no plan to rig, stressing that the party is prepared for victory through the ballot.
In a post on his X handle, Ahmad wrote, “I see some individuals trying so hard to create the impression that our party intends to rig the 2027 elections.
“Some have even gone as far as pushing the disturbing narrative of “rig the election and die.”
“How can a party that enjoys the support of 34 out of 36 state governors, alongside a broad and formidable political support base, be seriously portrayed as needing to rig an election?
“The APC is prepared to go into the elections, we are campaigning vigorously to earn victory at the ballot box.”