Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he was rigged out of the 2023 presidential election, urging the youth to join him in demanding credible poll in 2027.

“I was rigged out of the 2023 election. The elections results were cooked,” Mr Obi stated in an interview on Channels TV on Sunday. “I am begging the youth to join me in demanding free, fair and credible election.”

The politician emerged third in the last presidential election with a total of 6,101,533 votes. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress won the polls with 8,794, 726 votes while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party came second with 6,984, 520.

Mr Obi, who noted that Mr Tinubu projected himself as a democrat, urged him to prove his democratic credentials by ensuring transparent polls next year.

“Free, fair and credible election will go as his legacy since has has fought for democracy. This is the time for him to prove his democratic credentials,” he added.

The former Anambra State governor insisted that he was not desperate to become president, reaffirming his commitment to national unity and progress.

“I have said it before, I am not desperate to become President of Nigeria. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If it is working, I will support whatever makes it work.”

“I will never divide Nigeria. I will unite Nigeria. I will show love to every part of Nigeria and make sure things are done differently, because I am going to involve everybody,” the NDC chieftain said.