By Peace Udugba
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned Nigerians against vote buying and money politics, warning that financial inducement remains a major threat to credible elections and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olukoyede made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin while delivering the inaugural lecture of the High-Level Guest Speakers’ Series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin. The lecture was themed:
“Mobilising Critical Stakeholders for Setting the Agenda for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria.”
He said the EFCC remained committed to tackling the monetisation of the electoral process, describing vote buying, vote selling, and other forms of inducement as practices that weaken democratic institutions and good governance.
According to him, politicians who gain office through financial inducement often prioritise recovering their “investments” rather than serving the public interest.
“The EFCC is opposed to the commercialisation of votes not only because it is a financial crime, but because it weakens the foundation for good governance by compromising political recruitment. Leaders who pay their way into office are unlikely to prioritise public good and accountability,” he said.
Olukoyede disclosed that the Commission had in recent years arrested, prosecuted, and secured convictions in several vote-buying-related cases involving politicians, electoral officials, and citizens, adding that enforcement efforts would be intensified ahead of 2027.
He further warned that electoral corruption has become more sophisticated, with perpetrators now using covert methods, coded communication, and off-site arrangements to influence voters.
“Vote buying is no longer always done openly or on election day. There are coded systems and hidden arrangements designed to bypass electoral frameworks. We are aware of these tactics and we are prepared to safeguard the integrity of our elections,” he added.
The EFCC boss also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, strict enforcement of electoral laws, issue-based campaigns, responsible media reporting, and neutrality from security agencies to ensure credible polls.
He urged political actors to reject divisive rhetoric and vote trading, noting that such practices have contributed to electoral violence in past cycles.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, G. A. Animasawun, said the lecture series was designed to bring stakeholders together to address threats to Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, described electoral corruption as a major national security challenge and called for stronger institutional collaboration to curb malpractice.
He also commended the EFCC under Olukoyede’s leadership for adopting a preventive approach to electoral corruption, and proposed deeper partnership between the Commission and the Centre for research, training, and policy development.
The event was attended by representatives of electoral bodies, security agencies, civil society organisations, academia, and the media.
