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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

EFCC opposed to commercialisation of votes, Olukoyede warns

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The EFCC chairman warned Nigerians against vote buying and money politics, calling them threats to democracy.
  • He stated the commission opposes the commercialization of votes, as it undermines good governance and accountability.
  • The EFCC is intensifying enforcement ahead of the 2027 elections and urges collaboration among stakeholders for credible elections.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a strong warning against vote buying and money politics, identifying them as significant threats to Nigeria's democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The EFCC is opposed to the commercialisation of votes.

— Ola OlukoyedeChairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, stating the commission's stance on vote buying.

Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara State, Olukoyede emphasized the EFCC's commitment to eradicating the monetization of the electoral process. "The EFCC is opposed to the commercialization of votes," he declared, explaining that such practices weaken the foundation of good governance and accountability. He cautioned that political leaders who gain office through vote buying are likely to prioritize recouping their investments over public welfare.

Olukoyede also highlighted the link between electoral corruption and broader governance challenges, noting how it distorts political recruitment and accountability systems. He pointed out that electoral offenses are becoming more sophisticated, with perpetrators now using covert strategies and codes outside established electoral frameworks.

Leaders who pay their way into public office are unlikely to prioritise public good and accountability. Recouping their investments becomes the overriding objective.

— Ola OlukoyedeOlukoyede explaining the consequences of vote buying on leadership priorities.

The EFCC chairman disclosed that the commission has already made arrests and secured convictions in electoral-related cases. He assured that enforcement efforts would be intensified leading up to the 2027 elections, stating, "We are aware of all these antics and we are prepared to safeguard the integrity of our elections."

Some of these criminal activities are no longer carried out in the open. Codes are being used covertly, and linkages are established outside electoral frameworks.

— Ola OlukoyedeOlukoyede describing the increasingly sophisticated methods used in electoral offenses.

He urged political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns and reject divisive rhetoric. Olukoyede also called for professionalism and neutrality from the media and security agencies in protecting the electoral process, stressing that credible elections require collaboration, robust enforcement of laws, and a sustained commitment to peace.

We are aware of all these antics and we are prepared to safeguard the integrity of our elections.

— Ola OlukoyedeOlukoyede assuring the public of the EFCC's readiness to protect election integrity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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