The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned Nigerians that anyone who attempts to snatch ballot boxes during elections should be prepared to pay with their life.
The statement, originally made in 2019, has resurfaced on social media as political parties and politicians intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
At the time, Keyamo was the spokesman for the campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He made the remarks while defending Buhari’s warning that security forces should deal firmly with anyone attempting to disrupt elections by snatching ballot boxes.
Buhari had warned that ballot box snatching could become the last unlawful act committed by anyone involved in the offence.
Defending the former president’s position, Keyamo said there was nothing wrong with the idea of “rig and die”, arguing that anyone who attempted to snatch ballot boxes should understand the possible consequences of their actions.
He maintained that leading thugs to seize ballot boxes amounted to armed robbery and treason, offences he said attracted the death penalty under Nigerian law.
Keyamo further argued that security agents could use force, including shooting offenders, where necessary to stop violent acts that threatened lives and public safety.
He explained that the legal principles of justification and excuse could apply to security personnel acting in the course of their duties. He also maintained that anyone convicted of the offences could face the death penalty.
The minister urged Nigerians to accept the tough position, arguing that a strong response was necessary to tackle the longstanding problem of electoral violence and manipulation.
The old statement has gained renewed attention as the phrase “rig and die” becomes increasingly popular in political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege is among the politicians associated with the slogan, which has been used to warn against attempts to manipulate election results.
Keyamo recently reacted to the renewed use of the phrase in a social media post, sarcastically suggesting that everyone should embrace it.
He argued that politicians who promote the slogan but later lose elections conducted freely and fairly would find it difficult to accuse opponents of rigging.
According to his argument, those who make such allegations would also have to explain how many people they killed while attempting to stop the alleged electoral manipulation.
In another recent post, Keyamo warned Nigerians against taking up weapons under the excuse of protecting their votes.
He accused some politicians of encouraging violence while keeping their own children away from the dangers by sending them abroad.
The minister reiterated his support for Buhari’s 2019 position, arguing that anyone who engages in self-help or attacks others with dangerous weapons could be lawfully stopped by security operatives acting within their duties.
He warned that Nigerians had been cautioned against resorting to violence and must understand the consequences of their actions.
Keyamo currently serves in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. He has also been named to coordinate air transport arrangements for the ruling party’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The resurfacing of his 2019 remarks has added to the growing political debate over election security, ballot box snatching and the use of force ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
