By Pascal Ibe

Introduction

The “rig and die” slogan refers to a controversial political warning in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy Senate President and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial seat ignited the controversy in October 2026. While addressing a campaign gathering in Uvwie, Delta State.

He warned that anyone attempting to manipulate or rig the 2027 election would be killed (“Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we will kill him. It is rig and die”). He later defended the remark as a warning against electoral thieves rather than ordinary voters.

Critics, including civil society voices and supporters from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), condemned the rhetoric as dangerous incitement that could lead to jungle justice and endanger election workers.

Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also condemned the “rig and die” remark gaining popularity among some political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the rhetoric could expose innocent Nigerians to electoral violence.

Claim

An X user, @confidence24 (Gbotemi), on 9 November posted (archived here) an image showing the parade of smuggled rifles, alongside the claim that they were smuggled into Nigeria by the campaigners of the ” rig and die ” slogan.

“I will keep shouting, even if my voice isn’t heard. 

“Nigeria Police and DSS, investigate reports that some “rig and die” campaigners have allegedly secretly smuggled weapons into Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.”

The image, alongside the claim, caught the attention of other X users who believe that the picture was recent and allegedly from the “rig-and-die” campaigners.

Verification

However, subjecting the image to an Image Reverse Search website, FACTWATCH Nigeria found that it was from August this year when the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) uncovered 399 fully assembled Jojef rifles concealed in a shipment intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port Command.

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‎The discovery was made on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following the completion of the coupling and detailed examination of the seized consignment.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, warned that criminal networks could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, seaports and airports to smuggle prohibited items into the country ahead of the next general elections.

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‎He said the Customs Service would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to frustrate such attempts.

However, there were no arrests by the Customs Service or links to politicians behind the smuggled rifles.

The story was also published in August by other media organisations here and here.

Verdict

Simple findings have revealed that the image used to show rifles smuggled into Nigeria by the campaigners of “rig and die”, was from August and NOT recent.

Therefore, the claim is FALSE.