Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has defended his “Rig and Die” declaration ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying it warns election riggers and defends democracy.

The defence was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 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 Senator Ede Dafinone’s camp over Omo-Agege’s remarks.

Anaughe described the reactions, including comments by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Chairman of the Delta APC Campaign Council’s Media and Publicity Committee, Charles Aniagwu, as “contrived outrage” and “fake tears”.

“Rig and die’ is not a threat to voters. Voters don’t rig elections. It threatens 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 aimed to oppose electoral manipulation and aligned with the spirit of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits assuming government power except in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“To rig an election is treason. It is a coup against the people. It is political robbery. ‘Rig and die’ entails that every rigging machinery will be defeated and crushed by popular resistance,” he said.

The statement called for an end to alleged electoral malpractice, including falsifying results, impersonating security personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, vote-buying, and attempts to bypass the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He referenced a February 2019 directive by former President Muhammadu Buhari that ballot box snatchers should be dealt with ruthlessly.

Anaughe also recalled the October 12, 2013, Delta Central senatorial bye-election to replace the late Senator Pius Ewherido, during which Dafinone, then the Democratic Peoples Party candidate, reportedly alleged that voting had not taken place and described the poll as a sham, claiming INEC withheld result sheets.

Addressing renewed references to the Senate mace incident, Anaughe said Omo-Agege went to the Senate chamber to resume his duties after securing a Federal High Court judgment that nullified 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,” the statement said, adding that Omo-Agege was subsequently elected Deputy President of the Senate.

The statement maintained that the senator’s stance on election rigging aligned with what it described as his earlier defence of democracy.

Anaughe insisted that Omo-Agege had not threatened voters, INEC or the police but had warned those involved in vote-buying, voter intimidation, impersonation and result manipulation.

He further alleged that Omo-Agege was denied victory in the 2023 Delta governorship election through manipulation in parts of the state, particularly Ika North-East, Ika South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South.

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

It urged voters across Delta State to remain vigilant at polling units and collation centres, insisting that voters decide the 2027 election by the votes cast rather than manipulated figures.

“2027 will be decided by ballots, not by written results. In 2027, the people must decide. Their votes must count. Their mandate must stand. Every attempt to rig will be met with lawful, peaceful and resolute resistance at the polling units,” the statement added.

Anaughe concluded that Omo-Agege stood by his remarks, saying they were meant to defend the integrity of elections. (The Nation)