The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday said it is determined to stamp out corruption in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The anti-graft agency in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said this is aimed at ensuring that the will of the people is not subverted through financial inducement – vote buying and electoral fraud by political parties during campaigns.
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“To this end, and starting from the governorship election in Osun State this weekend, the Commission has fully mobilised its investigative resources in a proactive move to stem the incidence of vote buying and other financial inducements that had bedeviled the nation’s electoral process.
“Specifically, the Commission expresses its resolve to monitor campaign financing by political parties. Anything done outside the law would be considered as corrupt practices and dealt with accordingly.”
According to the acting Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, stamping out corruption will be achieved through collaborations with security agencies.
Magu said the EFCC will collaborate with other law enforcement organisations in the country to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act which criminalises financial inducement by political parties and their candidates during electoral campaigns and at polling centers on Election Day.
“We will be working with all stakeholders especially from the security and intelligence community to stop the practice of vote buying and other financial malpractices that undermine the integrity of our elections.
“It is important to state here that those who offer bribes for votes are as guilty as those who receive such gratifications. My candid advice to the electorates is to be vigilant and resist the temptation to sell their votes,” Magu said.
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The EFCC advised voters to be vigilant in the exercise of their franchise, by resisting monetary inducement for votes as “those who dangle such carrots cannot be trusted to protect their interest once in power.”
He added that the EFCC has already launched surveillance of the financial flows of all the actors in the various political parties.
“The tracking process which is ongoing, will continue till all the scheduled elections are concluded,” he said.
Magu however assured that the Commission’s intervention will be moderated by national interest and the rule of law. He said, “We will not take any step that is not sanctioned by law.”
