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, saying it would leave them with no excuse to blame electoral defeat on rigging.

Keyamo, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, sarcastically said the slogan, popularised by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, should be embraced because it would make it difficult for politicians to attribute their defeat to electoral manipulation after a free and fair election.

He challenged those promoting the slogan to explain how many alleged election riggers they killed on election day as proof that the polls were manipulated.

The minister argued that opposition politicians would have to account for their claims of electoral fraud rather than use rigging allegations to explain poor performances at the polls.

Omo-Agege, who is seeking election to represent 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 had warned that anyone caught manipulating the 2027 elections would be killed, insisting that there would be no recourse to the courts.

Following widespread criticism, Omo-Agege, through his media aide, Godwin Anaughe, defended the statement, saying it was directed at individuals involved in manipulating election results and stealing electoral materials, not voters or innocent citizens.

He maintained that the slogan was intended as a warning against electoral malpractice and a call to defend the people’s mandate.