Some governorship aspirants spent N20 billion to win the election -EFCC Boss, Olukoede

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has claimed that some governorship aspirants in Nigeria spent over N20 billion to guarantee their election victory.

The anti-corruption boss warned that this trend poses a serious threat to democratic governance and encourages corruption in public office.

Olukoyede stated this in Ilorin, Wednesday, while speaking at the inaugural Guest Speaker Series organized by the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS) of the University of Ilorin.

He said that the enormous financial resources deployed during elections often force elected officials to divert public funds after taking office in an effort to recover their investments.

Speaking on the theme, “Reducing Risks and Mobilizing Critical Stakeholders for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria”, the EFCC chairman said the huge financial expenditure required to win elections often creates pressure on public office holders to divert public funds once in office, as this is necessary to win gubernatorial elections.

However, he said the EFCC remained committed to tackling vote buying and other forms of financial inducements that could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The commercialization of votes weakens the foundation of good governance because it endangers the political recruitment process,” he said. “Leaders who buy their positions are more likely to focus on recovering their investments than serving the public interest.”

Olukoyede disclosed that the anti-corruption agency had made several arrests across the country on charges of vote buying and other election offences, and a number of convictions had been secured. He said those charged included politicians, election officials and ordinary citizens who were found guilty of election violations.

The EFCC Chairman warned that impunity in the electoral process could undermine democracy and national stability, and stressed that there should be no sacrifice in the enforcement of electoral laws.

He also revealed the KPU’s plans to deploy drones and other technological tools to strengthen election monitoring ahead of the 2027 elections, especially in tracking vote buying and financial incentives at polling stations.

Olukoyede further called on political parties and their supporters to conduct issue-based campaigns and reject inflammatory rhetoric that could incite violence, just as he urged stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organizations, media and political actors to collaborate in ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), described electoral corruption as a major threat to national security and democratic development.