₦30 Billion On Primaries: Politicians Recover Election Spending With Public Funds – EFCC

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised the alarm over the rising cost of elections in Nigeria, saying some governorship aspirants spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion to secure victory during the last primary elections.

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

Naijaonpoint reports that the EFCC chairman spoke on Wednesday while delivering 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.”

Olukoyede said the heavy financial investments made by politicians during elections often place pressure on elected officials to recover their money after assuming office.

According to him, the desperation to recoup campaign expenses could push public office holders into diverting public funds instead of focusing on governance and service delivery.

He said the situation was particularly dangerous because it weakens the quality of leadership produced through the electoral process.

“The commercialisation of votes weakens the foundation of good governance because it compromises the political recruitment process. Leaders who buy their way into office are more likely to focus on recovering their investments rather than serving the public interest,” he said.

The EFCC boss noted that when the path to public office is shaped by money rather than competence, integrity and public trust, the outcome is poor governance and weakened democratic institutions.

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

Olukoyede said the commission remained committed to tackling 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 related electoral offences.

According to him, some of those arrested had already been convicted.

He said the persons prosecuted included politicians, electoral officials and ordinary citizens found culpable of electoral misconduct.

The EFCC chairman warned that impunity in the electoral process could endanger 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.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Olukoyede said the EFCC was planning to deploy drones and other technological tools to strengthen election monitoring.

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

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

He urged political parties and their supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than inducement, intimidation or inflammatory statements capable of triggering 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.

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.

Egbewole said credible elections were essential for national stability, economic growth and public confidence in governance.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and agencies responsible for protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

According to him, universities have a role to play in research, public enlightenment and policy engagement aimed at strengthening democracy.