By Oscar Okhifo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the “rig and die” remark gaining popularity among some political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the rhetoric could expose innocent Nigerians to electoral violence.
The commission’s warning has, however, sparked further debate over the comment with human rights lawyer and public commentator, Inibehe Effiong, questioning what he described as selective outrage over threats associated with elections.
In posts on Facebook and X on Monday, Effiong argued that the expression should not be misconstrued as an invitation to violence or a call for political opponents to be attacked.
“Rig and die does not mean vote me or die,” he stated, insisting that engaging in thuggery, disrupting political activities and attacking opponents were individual choices that should not be confused with the defence of electoral integrity.
He challenged INEC and other relevant authorities to demonstrate similar concern about electoral violence by addressing past incidents and ensuring that those responsible were brought to justice.
Effiong questioned the apparent absence of commensurate sanctions against individuals accused of disrupting political rallies and attacking political opponents, including the incident involving activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore.
He maintained that politicians contemplating electoral manipulation should understand that Nigerians would not surrender their votes without resistance, arguing that citizens had a legitimate right to defend their votes and demand accountability.
His intervention has also drawn attention to resurfaced videos of former President Muhammadu Buhari warning against electoral violence and ballot-box snatching ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Similar videos featuring President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressing positions consistent with Buhari’s declaration, have also resurfaced.
The videos have reignited discussions about the consistency of political actors and institutions in condemning threats associated with elections, particularly in view of the political support that accompanied Buhari’s warning at the time.
However, INEC National Commissioner, Aruna, cautioned political actors against promoting the slogan, describing it as dangerous rhetoric that could put innocent citizens at risk.
“‘Rig and die’ is akin to jungle justice and even innocent citizens could be placed on harm’s way. Stakeholders and political parties should by all means avoid rhetoric that could charge the public to take laws into their hands.
“The laws, law enforcement agents are available to take care of electoral offenders. INEC remains committed to due process and fairness to all,” Aruna said.
He also urged the media to steer public conversations towards sanity and civility, warning against amplifying inflammatory political expressions capable of endangering lives.
Aruna spoke on Monday at a media engagement forum for journalists and media executives in Enugu, where he cautioned politicians against statements and threats that could endanger presiding officers, ad hoc electoral personnel, party agents, observers and other innocent participants in the electoral process.
He stressed that disagreements over election outcomes should be addressed through lawful channels, including petitions to INEC, complaints to security agencies and litigation, rather than violence.
The commission also warned that any electoral official, including temporary personnel, found to have compromised the electoral process would face the full weight of the law.
INEC further urged media organisations to avoid amplifying misinformation, manipulated videos, unverified election results and inflammatory political narratives capable of undermining public confidence and triggering violence.
For many Nigerians, however, the emergence of the “rig and die” campaign reflects a deeper lack of confidence in the ability of INEC, the police and the judiciary to prevent electoral manipulation and punish offenders.
They argue that perpetrators of electoral fraud, violence and other violations of the electoral process, including those who allegedly sponsor or facilitate such acts, have often escaped commensurate punishment over the years.
This, they contend, has left victims and aggrieved voters with little confidence in the institutions established to protect their votes and guarantee credible elections.
While such frustrations may explain the appeal of the slogan among some sections of the electorate, concerns persist that its interpretation could encourage mob action and expose innocent citizens to attacks.
The responsibility, therefore, rests on INEC, security agencies and the judiciary to demonstrate, through concrete action, that electoral offences will no longer go unpunished. Political parties and their supporters must also reject rhetoric capable of inciting violence.
It remains to be seen whether INEC’s warning and interventions by other stakeholders will halt the spread of the “rig and die” campaign or whether the slogan will gain further traction as the 2027 general elections approach.