Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede says governorship aspirants spent about ₦30 billion on primary elections in the run-up to the last nominations. Reports from multiple outlets say Olukoyede stated the figure could range from roughly ₦20 billion to ₦30 billion, describing the spending as a threat to democratic processes. He links high costs of primaries to pressures on future office-holders to recover campaign expenses after elections, which he says can encourage diversion of public funds and other forms of corruption.
Olukoyede also says the EFCC has already made arrests across the country for vote-buying and other electoral offences, and that convictions have been secured against politicians, electoral officials and other participants. He warns that impunity in election-related crimes could destabilize democracy and calls for enforcement of electoral laws without exemptions.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Olukoyede says the EFCC plans to use drones and other technological tools to strengthen election monitoring, including efforts to track vote-buying at polling units. The statements are accompanied by calls for issue-based campaigns and cooperation among INEC, security agencies, civil society, the media and political actors.
