Editorial:“Tinubu Preparing for 2027, Tompolo in the Political Calculations? — Peter Obi Must Wake Up, Build His Election Defence and Prepare to Defend Every Vote!”

By Tarakirivoice Editorial Board

Mr Peter Obi, we say this to you not as enemies, but as Nigerians who believe that the 2027 presidential election could become one of the most consequential elections in the history of our country.

Stand strong.

Do not allow intimidation to define your campaign.

Do not allow political power to make you retreat from legitimate engagements with Nigerians.

And do not wait until election night before preparing to defend the mandate you will ask Nigerians to give you.

Your recent experience in Benue State should therefore be a wake-up call.

You said your delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by attacks. Instead of abandoning the humanitarian mission, you travelled to Mangu in Plateau State and visited an IDP camp housing more than 500 displaced persons.

That was commendable.

But the bigger question is this:

What happens when the stakes are no longer a humanitarian visit, but the votes of millions of Nigerians?

That is where we need to see a different kind of Peter Obi.

Not an angry Peter Obi.

Not a violent Peter Obi.

But a prepared Peter Obi.

A Peter Obi surrounded by competent lawyers, election monitors, polling-unit coordinators, security experts, communication teams, independent observers and millions of citizens who understand how to protect their votes within the law.

2027 MUST NOT BE AN ELECTION OF INTIMIDATION

Tarakirivoice is deeply concerned about the increasingly aggressive political environment ahead of 2027.

There are already allegations and counter-allegations about political actors mobilising powerful networks across different parts of the country.

There are also growing public discussions about the role of former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, in political activities, including reports concerning campaign vehicles donated in Katsina State.

These are claims properly investigated and independently verified by Tarakirivoice.

But whether the allegations are true or exaggerated, the message they send to ordinary Nigerians is dangerous:

Some citizens are beginning to believe that elections are won by whoever can command the biggest political machinery, the most intimidating crowd or the strongest network of loyalists.

That must not become Nigeria’s political reality.

If powerful political actors are preparing for 2027, Peter Obi must prepare too—but prepare lawfully, intelligently and comprehensively.

MR OBI, BUILD YOUR OWN WALL OF PROTECTION

We are not asking you to recruit thugs.

We are asking you to build something much stronger:

A nationwide citizens’ election-protection movement.

Let there be trained polling-unit agents.

Let every polling unit have properly accredited representatives.

Let results be photographed and transmitted securely.

Let lawyers be available before, during and after the election.

Let there be rapid-response teams documenting intimidation and irregularities.

Let international observers receive credible evidence.

Let every questionable result be challenged through the appropriate institutions.

Let millions of Nigerians know exactly what to do if their polling unit is threatened or if electoral procedures are violated.

That is how you fight for votes.

Not with machetes.

Not with guns.

Not with hired thugs.

With organisation.

With courage.

With evidence.

With the law.

With millions of Nigerians standing together.

DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED

Mr Obi, Nigerians who support you do not need a candidate who promises violence.

They need a candidate who refuses to be bullied.

If somebody says, “Go back,” your answer should be:

“I am a Nigerian citizen, and I have a constitutional right to travel anywhere in Nigeria.”

If a political authority attempts to obstruct a lawful political activity, document it.

If supporters are threatened, report it.

If votes are allegedly manipulated, collect the evidence.

If officials violate the law, challenge them.

If your mandate is stolen, pursue every constitutional and judicial avenue available.

But never give anybody the excuse to say that Peter Obi’s supporters are a violent mob.

NIGERIA CANNOT AFFORD AN EYE-FOR-AN-EYE ELECTION

There is a dangerous temptation in Nigerian politics to say:

“If they bring thugs, bring bigger thugs.”

“If they bring violence, bring double violence.”

That road does not lead to victory.

It leads to dead Nigerians.

It leads to burned communities.

It leads to displaced families.

It leads to broken businesses.

It leads to children burying their parents.

And ultimately, it could destroy the very Nigeria that politicians claim they want to rescue.

We have seen what insecurity has done to communities across Plateau, Benue, the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

We cannot turn the presidential election into another battlefield.

The people of Nigeria deserve ballots—not bullets.

TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: WATCH NIGERIA

The international community should pay close attention to Nigeria ahead of 2027.

Any attempt by political actors—regardless of party, region, religion or personality—to intimidate voters, manipulate electoral processes or deploy violent groups must be exposed.

But international attention should not come only after Nigerians are killed.

The warning signs must be monitored beforehand.

Civil society organisations, journalists, election observers, religious leaders, traditional institutions and diplomatic missions should encourage all political parties to publicly commit to peaceful elections.

Every Nigerian should be free to campaign.

Every Nigerian should be free to vote.

Every Nigerian should be free to support the candidate of their choice.

And every vote should be counted according to the law.

MR OBI, THIS IS YOUR MOMENT

The 2027 election cannot be approached with sentiment.

You cannot assume that because millions of Nigerians admire you, the system will automatically protect your mandate.

Prepare.

Build structures.

Train people.

Protect polling agents.

Strengthen your legal team.

Document everything.

Engage communities.

Work with credible civil society organisations.

Maintain international visibility.

And, above all, teach your supporters courage without violence.

Tell them:

Do not run because somebody shouts at you.

Do not fight because somebody provokes you.

Do not destroy because somebody destroys.

Stand your ground within the law.

Record.

Report.

Challenge.

Vote.

Count

Protect the result.

And never surrender your democratic rights.

THE MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

This editorial is not a call to arms.

It is a call to courage.

Do not allow anybody to convince you that you need a weapon to defend your vote.

Your strongest weapon is your vote itself, backed by evidence, organisation, lawful resistance and collective civic courage.

If Nigeria wants peace, let every political party choose peace.

If Nigeria wants a free and fair election, let every political actor respect the rules.

And if anybody attempts to turn 2027 into an election of intimidation, Nigerians must respond not with violence, but with unprecedented vigilance, unity and lawful resistance.

Because the country belongs to all of us.

Mr Peter Obi, 2027 is coming.

Do not enter it as a frightened candidate.

Enter it as a prepared candidate.

Do not build an army of thugs.

Build an army of informed citizens.

Do not prepare for war.

Prepare to defend democracy.

And if Nigerians freely give you their votes, have the courage, machinery and determination to defend those votes from polling unit to final declaration—peacefully, lawfully and without intimidation.

Nigeria is watching.

Africa is watching.

The world is watching.

2027 must belong to the Nigerian people—not to thugs, not to militants, not to political godfathers and not to whoever can create the greatest fear.

The ballot must be stronger than the bullet.

And democracy must be stronger than intimidation.

— Tarakirivoice Editorial Board