Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has stressed that the credibility of elections in Nigeria depends on the integrity of those overseeing the process.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the public presentation of Readings on Election Security Management and Selected Readings in Internal Security Management books authored by former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase Obi stated that free and fair elections are only possible when competent individuals are in charge.

“I can’t make comments on election policing. I will only say it depends on whoever is in charge at the time,” he said.

Recalling his experience during the 2013 Anambra gubernatorial election, Obi highlighted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s role in ensuring fairness.

“I went to him as the president and said, ‘Mr. President, I don’t want one vote that does not belong to me to be recorded for me, and I don’t want one vote to be recorded for another person,’” Obi recounted, adding that Jonathan acted swiftly when concerns about political interference arose.

Obi argued that Nigeria’s electoral challenges are rooted in political manipulation.

“The criminality will stop when politicians start doing the right thing. If public officers stop stealing, even those engaging in crime on the streets will learn from them,” he said.

He also praised Solomon Arase for his professionalism as IGP and commended his contributions to election security through his writings.