EFCC: Politicians Spend N30 Billion on Primaries, Recoup Costs From Public Funds

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has sounded the alarm on the increasing cost of elections in Nigeria. He said some governorship aspirants spent between N20 billion and N30 billion to win during the last primary elections.

Olukoyede warned that the development was a serious threat to democratic governance, adding that the huge sums spent by politicians during elections often fuel corruption in public office.

The EFCC chairman reportedly said this on Wednesday during the inaugural High-Level Guest Speakers’ Series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.

The lecture was themed, “De-risking and Mobilising Critical Stakeholders for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria”.

EFCC: Election Spending Breeds Corruption
Politicians’ huge financial investments during elections also put pressure on elected officials to recoup their money after assuming office, Olukoyede said.

He said the desperation to recoup campaign expenses can lead public office holders to divert public funds, instead of focusing on governance and service delivery.

The situation, he said, was particularly dangerous as it weakens the quality of leadership churned out through the electoral process.

“Commercialisation of votes undermines the basis of good governance as this affects the process of political recruitment. “Leaders who buy their way into office are more likely to focus on recouping their investments than serving the public interest,” he said.

According to the EFCC boss, when the path to public office is defined by money instead of competence, integrity and public trust, the result is poor governance and weakened democratic institutions.

He said Nigeria could not build credible leadership if the country failed to tackle vote-buying, financial inducement and other electoral offences.

Olukoyede said the commission is committed to fighting vote-buying and other financial practices capable of undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

He disclosed that the EFCC had made several arrests across the country in connection with vote-buying and other related electoral offences.

He said some of those arrested had already been convicted.

The accused, he said, included “politicians, electoral officials and ordinary citizens found guilty of electoral misconduct.

The EFCC boss said that the impunity in the electoral process could threaten democracy and national stability.

He stressed that the enforcement of electoral laws must be firm and fair adding that there should be no sacred cows.

Commission To Use Drones For Election Monitoring
Olukoyede said the EFCC is planning to deploy drones and other technological tools to strengthen election monitoring ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the technology would help the commission track vote-buying and financial inducement, especially around polling units.

The EFCC chairman said the agency will continue to improve its operational methods to match the changing tactics of politicians and their agents during elections.

He urged political parties and their supporters to conduct issue-based campaigns instead of inducement, intimidation or inflammatory statements that can trigger violence.

Olukoyede also called on key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and political actors to work together to deliver peaceful, free and credible elections in 2027.

VC: Security Threatened by Electoral Corruption
In the same vein, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, said electoral corruption was a serious threat to the country’s security as well as democratic development.

Egbewole said that credible elections were vital to national stability, economic growth and public confidence in governance.

He stressed the need for greater cooperation between academic institutions and agencies responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

Universities have a role to play in research, public enlightenment and policy engagement to strengthen democracy, he said.

Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Professor G.A. Animasawun, in his welcome address, said the lecture series was created to provide a platform for proactive discussions on threats to Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.

He said the initiative would bring together policy makers, security experts, electoral officials, civil society groups and scholars to develop practical solutions for peaceful and credible elections.

“Early engagement is imperative to reduce risks to the elections and build confidence in the democratic process,” Animasawun noted.

Representatives of security agencies, electoral bodies, civil society organisations, members of the academic community and students attended the event.