Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi says “professors” are now helping undermine election integrity, alleging they assist others to rig elections. Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, he frames the comments as part of a broader decline in democratic standards.
Obi also links the problem to legal and institutional factors. He says he previously challenged his own election in court for three years and that judges delivered judgments in his favour despite his not meeting them. He further alleges that lawmakers removed forgery as an electoral offence and that senior lawyers defend cases involving forgery. He adds criticism of religious leaders, saying they pray for politicians he calls criminals, and warns that judges may be influenced by political mandates.
Across outlets, the core claim is consistent: Obi criticizes the role of academics in election rigging and presents it as evidence of eroding democratic values. The coverage emphasizes different supporting allegations—particularly around forgery and legal defence—but all attribute the statements to Obi at the same Bauchi event.
