The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has warned Nigerians against vote buying and money politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as serious threats to democratic governance.
Olukoyede made the warning on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, while delivering the inaugural lecture of the High-Level Guest Speakers’ Series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies of the University of Ilorin.
The lecture focused on mobilising stakeholders for peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria.
He said the EFCC remains committed to stopping the monetisation of the electoral process, stressing that vote buying undermines democracy and good governance.
“The EFCC is opposed to the commercialisation of votes,” he said, adding that it weakens the foundation for good governance.
Olukoyede warned that political leaders who benefit from vote buying often misplace their priorities once in office.
“Leaders who pay their way into public office are unlikely to prioritise public good and accountability.
“Recouping their investments becomes the overriding objective,” he averred.
He also linked electoral corruption to broader governance challenges, arguing that it distorts political recruitment and accountability systems.
Beyond vote buying, he noted that electoral offences are becoming more sophisticated, with perpetrators now adopting covert strategies.
“Some of these criminal activities are no longer carried out in the open
“Codes are being used covertly, and linkages are established outside electoral frameworks,” he noted.
Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC has made arrests and secured convictions in electoral-related cases involving politicians, voters, and officials, adding that enforcement would be intensified ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are aware of all these antics and we are prepared to safeguard the integrity of our elections,” he added.
He called on political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject divisive rhetoric, while urging the media and security agencies to remain professional, neutral, and proactive in safeguarding the electoral process.
According to him, credible elections require collaboration among all stakeholders, stronger enforcement of electoral laws, and sustained commitment to peace.
