The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised opposition politicians over the “rig and die” slogan being promoted ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that the phrase will leave them without an excuse should they lose at the polls.
In a post on his X handle on Thursday, the minister said those championing the controversial slogan, popularised by former Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege, would be required to demonstrate how many people they killed on election day in order to substantiate any claims of rigging.
Keyamo Urges Embrace of the Slogan
Keyamo, in a sarcastic tone, contended that the slogan should be welcomed, explaining that it would make it difficult for opposition politicians to attribute electoral defeat to rigging after contests conducted freely and fairly.
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!!”
Origin of the Slogan
Omo-Agege, who is seeking election to represent the Delta Central Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, introduced the slogan during a campaign event in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on October 23.
The former senator warned that anyone caught manipulating the 2027 election would be killed, declaring that there would be no recourse to the courts.
He said: “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.”
Omo-Agege Defends Remark
Following criticism of the statement, Omo-Agege, through his media aide Godwin Anaughe, defended the remark, saying it was directed at those who manipulate election results and steal electoral materials, rather than at voters or innocent citizens.
The former Deputy Senate President maintained that the slogan was a warning against electoral malpractice and a call to defend the people’s mandate.
What the Exchange Signals for 2027
The back-and-forth highlights how quickly campaign rhetoric is intensifying well before the 2027 general elections. Keyamo’s intervention turns the opposition’s own slogan into a test of credibility, suggesting that parties alleging manipulation should be held to the standard they have set. Omo-Agege’s camp, for its part, insists the warning targets only those who tamper with results and electoral materials.
With both sides trading pointed statements on public platforms, the dispute is likely to remain a recurring theme as political actors position themselves for the next electoral cycle.
