Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has insisted that his “rig and die” declaration ahead of the 2027 general elections was directed at electoral offenders and not intended to incite violence, accusing critics of deliberately distorting his message.
Key Highlights
- Omo-Agege says his “rig and die” remark targets election riggers, not voters.
- His aide, Godwin Anaughe, faults reactions from the Delta government, APC and Dafinone’s camp.
- The camp cites Tinubu’s 2014 “rig and roast” and Buhari’s 2019 ballot-snatching warning.
- It renews claims about the 2023 governorship election without documentary evidence.
- The statement says any resistance to rigging must be peaceful and lawful.
Omo-Agege said the expression was a warning to individuals who might attempt to manipulate election results, steal electoral materials or subvert the will of voters in Delta State.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, faulted the reactions from the Delta State government, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Senator Ede Dafinone, describing their interpretation of the remark as misleading.
The statement maintained that the declaration was intended to discourage electoral malpractice and encourage voters to protect their mandates during the 2027 elections.
“‘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.
It argued that electoral fraud constitutes an attack on democracy and insisted that attempts to manipulate the outcome of an election must be resisted through lawful and peaceful means.
Omo-Agege’s camp also invoked Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits the assumption of governmental power except in accordance with constitutional provisions, arguing that the protection of electoral mandates was fundamental to democratic governance.
Camp Faults Aniagwu, Dafinone Supporters
The statement specifically criticised the reactions attributed to the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, and members of Dafinone’s camp, accusing them of portraying the remark as a call to violence.
It alleged that the criticism is politically motivated and suggested that those opposed to the declaration were uncomfortable with demands for transparent elections.
However, the statement did not present evidence to support its allegations that the state government or APC leaders were planning to manipulate the 2027 elections.
To support its argument, Omo-Agege’s camp cited previous political statements, including the “rig and roast” expression attributed to APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, in 2014 and former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 directive warning against ballot-box snatching.
It questioned the different reactions to those statements and Omo-Agege’s declaration, arguing that all three should be considered within the context of efforts to protect electoral integrity.
Dafinone, Senate Mace And 2023 Election
The statement also revisited the October 12, 2013, Delta Central senatorial bye-election, recalling that Dafinone, who contested the election on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), had reportedly challenged the conduct of the poll and alleged that there was no voting.
According to Omo-Agege’s camp, Dafinone had at the time accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of withholding result sheets and described the election as a sham.
On the controversy surrounding the removal of the Senate mace in 2018, the statement dismissed references to the incident as an attempt to discredit Omo-Agege.
It maintained that the former senator had returned to the Senate after securing a court judgment against his suspension and argued that his action was in defence of his legislative rights and the authority of the judiciary.
The statement further claimed that the courts had exonerated him, adding that his subsequent election as Deputy President of the Senate reflected the confidence of his colleagues.
Read also:
- Omo-Agege’s Two Purported APC Resignation Letters Raise Questions Over Dates, Primary Participation
- 2027: Omo-Agege Flags Off NDC Campaign in Delta, Vows to Defeat APC
- Omo-Agege not a threat to Dafinone in 2027, says Gov. Oborevwori
Omo-Agege’s camp also renewed its allegations concerning the 2023 Delta governorship election, claiming that the former senator was denied victory through electoral manipulation involving the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the incumbent governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
It specifically mentioned Ika North-East, Ika South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South in Delta North Senatorial District as areas where it alleged irregularities occurred.
The statement did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate those claims.
‘We Will Defend Our Votes’
Looking ahead to 2027, the former deputy Senate president’s camp alleged that the incumbent administration is preparing to deploy similar tactics to retain power, an accusation it linked to the governor’s financial resources and political influence.
It declared that Omo-Agege and his supporters would not depend exclusively on the courts to challenge alleged electoral fraud after the elections, insisting that voters must be vigilant at polling units and collation centres.
“We will defend our votes at the polling units and collation centres. That is lawful. That is constitutional,” the statement said.
The camp called on INEC and security agencies to ensure neutrality throughout the electoral process, protect voters from intimidation, count ballots accurately and announce results in line with votes cast.
It also urged voters across Delta State, from Orogun to Uvwie, Udu, Ughelli, Sapele, Warri, Agbor and Asaba, to remain alert to possible attempts to undermine the credibility of the elections.
While reiterating that electoral malpractice would be met with resistance, the statement emphasised that such resistance must remain peaceful and lawful.
It concluded that the 2027 elections should be determined by ballots cast by voters rather than manipulated results, insisting that the people’s mandate must be protected.
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