The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised opposition politicians promoting the “rig and die” slogan ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that it would leave them with little room to blame electoral defeat on rigging.
Keyamo, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, sarcastically welcomed the slogan, saying its promoters would have to demonstrate how many alleged election riggers they killed if they eventually lose an election they believe was manipulated.
According to the minister, the slogan could make it difficult for opposition politicians to attribute their electoral losses to rigging, as they would have to account for their threats against anyone involved in manipulating the process.
He wrote: “The new buzz phrase ‘rig and die’ should excite all of us and we should all embrace it.
“The simple reason is that when those who are now trumpeting it lose woefully in a free and fair context, it will be impossible for them to hide their humiliation at the polls under the guise of ‘rigging’ as they have always done.
“This is because we will ask them how many ‘riggers’ they killed on the election day, because the number of those killed by them should be directly proportional to the amount of ‘rigging’ that took place!
“In other words, they need to show how many people they killed to prove the election was rigged!! Chai!!”
The controversial slogan was popularised by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is seeking to represent Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly under the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Omo-Agege introduced the expression during a campaign event in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on October 23, warning that anyone caught manipulating the 2027 elections would be killed.
He also declared that those involved in electoral malpractice would not be given the opportunity to seek redress in court.
“I want to make the news again. Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we will kill him! If you don’t value your life, come and rig the election.
“They’re rigging your future. They’re rigging the future of your children. We’re waiting for them. Let them try it. It is rig and die. We’re going to give them aura for aura. There’s no court this time. We’re going to fight,” the former senator said.
Following public criticism, Omo-Agege’s media aide, Godwin Anaughe, defended the statement, explaining that it was directed at individuals who manipulate election results or steal electoral materials, rather than voters or innocent citizens.
He maintained that the slogan was intended as a warning against electoral malpractice and a declaration of readiness to defend the people’s mandate.