The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has faulted opposition politicians over the “rig and die” slogan ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying it will leave them with no excuse if they lose.

Keyamo, in a post shared on his X handle on Thursday, said those promoting the controversial slogan popularised by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, would have to show how many people they killed on election day to prove their claims of rigging.

The minister sarcastically argued that the slogan should be embraced, saying it would make it difficult for opposition politicians to blame electoral defeats on rigging after losing elections conducted freely and fairly.

He said, “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!!”

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 election would be killed, declaring that there would be no recourse to the courts.

“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,” he said.

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 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.