30bn Reportedly Spent by Some Governorship Aspirants During Primaries — EFCC

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that some governorship aspirants spent between N20 billion and N30 billion during party primary elections, warning that such excessive spending threatens Nigeria's democratic system and encourages corruption in public office.

Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State, Olukoyede said the high cost of securing political office often drives elected officials to divert public resources in an effort to recover their investments.

According to him, the commercialization of the electoral process weakens good governance because candidates who spend enormous sums to win elections may prioritize personal financial recovery over public service.

The EFCC chairman stated that the commission has intensified efforts against vote-buying and other forms of electoral corruption. He revealed that several arrests and convictions have already been recorded involving politicians, election officials, and citizens linked to electoral offences.

Olukoyede stressed that electoral misconduct must not be tolerated, warning that impunity could undermine democratic stability and public confidence in governance.

As part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, he said the commission plans to deploy drones and other technological tools to monitor polling units and detect vote-buying activities.

He also called on political parties, candidates, and supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of triggering violence.

The anti-corruption chief urged stakeholders, including Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to work together to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.

Earlier, Wahab Egbewole described electoral corruption as a major threat to national security and democratic development, emphasizing that credible elections are essential for economic growth, stability, and public trust in government.

The event attracted representatives of security agencies, electoral bodies, civil society groups, academics, and students who discussed strategies for safeguarding Nigeria's electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.

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