‘Rig And Die’ Rocks Delta! Omo-Agege Fires Back, Asks ‘Who Is Afraid Of Free Elections?’ Amid Calls For DSS, Police Probe

By Passman Akpos

ASABA, Delta State — Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has defended his controversial “Rig and Die” declaration ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the expression is a warning against electoral fraud rather than a threat of violence, as the Street Boys and Girls Movement has called on security agencies to investigate the remarks.

The controversy has intensified political debate in Delta State, with Omo-Agege’s camp describing the statement as a declaration against ballot manipulation, while the youth-oriented movement has expressed concern that the language could heighten political tension ahead of the elections.

In a press statement dated October 27, 2026, and signed by Godwin Anaughe, Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to Omo-Agege, the former senator accused the Delta State Government, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and their associates of deliberately misrepresenting his comments.

The statement specifically criticised Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, as well as individuals associated with Senator Ede Dafinone, over their reported reactions to the expression.

Omo-Agege: ‘Rig And Die’ Is A Warning To Electoral Offenders

Omo-Agege’s camp maintained that the expression was directed at individuals who might attempt to manipulate election results, steal electoral materials, buy votes or undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

According to the statement, the expression does not threaten voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or security personnel.

Instead, it described the declaration as a call for voters to defend their mandates through lawful and peaceful resistance against electoral malpractice.

“‘RIG AND DIE’ is not a threat to voters. Voters don’t rig elections. It is a threat to riggers who falsify election figures and results,” the statement said.

The former senator’s camp further argued that the expression was consistent with the constitutional principle that political power must be acquired through lawful democratic processes.

It cited Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits the assumption of government authority except in accordance with the Constitution.

The statement also called on INEC and security agencies to remain impartial, protect voters, ensure accurate vote counting and prevent the manipulation of results during the 2027 elections.

Street Boys And Girls Movement Seeks DSS, Police Intervention

However, the Street Boys and Girls Movement, Delta State Chapter, has urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to examine the reported remarks and determine whether further action is necessary.

In a separate statement, the movement’s Director-General, Hon. Comrade Oboh Ramsey Oghenedoro, expressed concern that the language could aggravate political tensions and potentially affect public confidence in the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections.

The group called for an impartial investigation to establish the context, intention and implications of the statement.

“We call on the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to examine the reported statement and invite Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for questioning if the circumstances and evidence justify such action,” Oghenedoro stated.

He emphasised that the movement’s priority was to protect lives, preserve public peace and ensure that the 2027 elections in Delta State were conducted in an orderly atmosphere.

The group also urged political parties, community leaders and other stakeholders to discourage inflammatory rhetoric, reject political violence and promote peaceful democratic participation.

Its position places renewed attention on the responsibility of political leaders to communicate their commitment to electoral integrity without creating uncertainty about the safety of voters and other participants in the electoral process.

Tinubu, Buhari Statements Cited In Omo-Agege’s Defence

In defending the controversial expression, Omo-Agege’s camp referenced previous statements attributed to President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari concerning electoral malpractice.

The statement recalled that Tinubu, then an APC national leader, reportedly used the expression “rig and roast” in April 2014 in connection with electoral malpractice in Ekiti and Osun states.

It also referenced Buhari’s remarks in February 2019 concerning ballot-box snatching and the response expected from security agencies.

Omo-Agege’s camp questioned why similar language was being interpreted differently when used by the former Delta Central senator.

However, the historical comparisons do not, by themselves, settle whether the current expression is appropriate or whether it raises any legal concerns. That determination would depend on the full context of the remarks and the applicable law.

Omo-Agege Reopens Debate Over 2023 Delta Governorship Election

The statement also revisited the disputed 2023 Delta State governorship election, alleging that Omo-Agege was denied victory through electoral manipulation involving the then-governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the eventual winner, Sheriff Oborevwori.

It alleged that irregularities in parts of Delta North Senatorial District, including Ika North, Ika South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South, contributed to the outcome of the election.

These claims represent the position of Omo-Agege’s camp and were not independently established in the material accompanying the statement.

The former senator’s camp further alleged that the current political leadership in Delta State could attempt similar tactics in 2027, an accusation that would require independent evidence.

It also criticised Senator Ede Dafinone, questioning his political record and recalling his reported complaints about the conduct of the October 12, 2013, Delta Central senatorial bye-election.

According to Omo-Agege’s camp, Dafinone had previously challenged the credibility of an election when he believed the process was compromised.

The statement argued that concerns about electoral malpractice should be applied consistently, regardless of the political interests involved.

Mace Controversy Also Resurfaces

Omo-Agege’s camp also addressed the controversy surrounding the removal of the Senate mace in April 2018, arguing that references to the incident were being used to discredit his current position on electoral integrity.

It maintained that Omo-Agege had returned to the Senate following a legal dispute over his suspension and denied that his intention was to steal the mace.

The statement described his action as a defence of legislative independence and the authority of the judiciary.

The episode remains part of the political history surrounding the former senator, but its relevance to the present controversy does not independently determine whether his latest remarks were appropriate.

Can ‘Rig And Die’ Be Interpreted As A Threat?

At the heart of the disagreement is whether the expression constitutes forceful political rhetoric against electoral malpractice or language capable of being interpreted as encouraging confrontation.

Omo-Agege’s camp insists that its meaning is clear: those who attempt to steal electoral mandates will face determined resistance from voters.

The Street Boys and Girls Movement, however, believes the remarks warrant scrutiny by security agencies because of their potential implications for political stability.

The distinction is important. Defending electoral integrity is a legitimate democratic objective, but any resistance to suspected malpractice must remain peaceful and lawful. Equally, calls for an investigation should be based on the full context of a statement rather than political disagreement alone.

Neither the movement’s demand for an investigation nor Omo-Agege’s defence establishes, on its own, that a criminal offence has occurred.

Delta 2027: A Test For Political Leaders And Security Agencies

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the controversy presents a challenge for political actors, electoral authorities and security agencies in Delta State.

Omo-Agege’s camp has called for vigilant voters and transparent electoral procedures, insisting that the results announced must reflect votes actually cast.

The Street Boys and Girls Movement has urged restraint from political leaders and called on the relevant authorities to assess the disputed remarks impartially.

The central question remains whether the competing political camps can channel their disagreements into lawful democratic engagement rather than rhetoric that deepens suspicion and hostility.

For INEC and the security agencies, the immediate responsibility is to uphold electoral laws, protect all eligible voters, prevent intimidation and ensure that allegations of electoral misconduct are investigated fairly.

As the political contest ahead of 2027 gathers momentum, the people of Delta State will ultimately expect their votes to count, their safety to be protected and their electoral choices to be respected.

The controversy leaves one critical question for public debate: Is “Rig and Die” an uncompromising warning against electoral fraud, or is it political rhetoric that risks escalating tensions before the 2027 elections?