By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) have pledged to strengthen collaboration in the fight against vote buying and electoral fraud, as part of efforts to ensure credible elections in Nigeria.
The commitment was reached on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, when AANISS President, Mike Ejiofor, led members of the association on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Ejiofor highlighted the theme of the association’s 2026 Annual Lecture, “Credible Elections in Nigeria and National Security,” noting that the topic underscores the importance of integrity in the electoral process. He commended the EFCC for its ongoing crackdown on vote buying, describing it as one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
“I must commend the EFCC for the arrests made over vote buying, which remains the greatest challenge in our electoral process,” Ejiofor said.
He urged the Commission to intensify its efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, emphasizing the need for stronger strategies to curb electoral malpractice. Ejiofor also assured the EFCC of AANISS’ readiness to provide expert support, consultancy, and resource persons to enhance the anti-corruption agency’s operations.
In his response, Olukoyede reaffirmed that tackling vote buying falls squarely within the EFCC’s mandate, adding that the Commission has recorded significant successes, including multiple convictions.
He stressed that proactive measures, including intelligence gathering and contingency planning, would be deployed well ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are not going to wait until election day before taking action. Preventive strategies and intelligence-led operations are critical to tackling electoral fraud,” he said.
The EFCC chairman further called on AANISS members to play a more active role in promoting national security, noting a strong link between financial crimes, corruption, and insecurity.
“There is a clear nexus between national security and financial crimes. This makes our collaboration not just necessary, but urgent,” Olukoyede stated.
He also reiterated the Commission’s preventive approach to anti-corruption, revealing the establishment of a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Directorate tasked with monitoring government spending and reducing opportunities for financial misconduct.
According to him, asset recovery remains a key pillar in the EFCC’s strategy, as depriving offenders of illicit gains serves as a major deterrent against corruption.
Olukoyede urged AANISS to leverage its platforms, including public lectures, to raise awareness about the dangers of financial crimes and the importance of national integrity.
“If the fight against corruption is not embraced as a national priority, achieving sustainable security will remain a challenge. Both are closely linked and must be addressed together,” he added.
The partnership between EFCC and AANISS is expected to boost efforts aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity and strengthening national security ahead of the 2027 polls.
