2027 Elections: Governorship Aspirants Spent N30 Billion on Primaries, Says EFCC Boss

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said that governorship aspirants spent between N20 billion and N30 billion on party primaries. He warned that this trend threatens democratic governance and encourages corruption in public office.

He made these comments during a lecture at the High-Level Guest Speakers’ Series organized by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS) at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The theme of the lecture was “De-risking and Mobilising Critical Stakeholders for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria.”

Mr Olukoyede explained that the large amount of money used for elections often forces elected officials to misuse public funds once they take office. This is done in an attempt to recoup their 'investments'.

The EFCC chairman reaffirmed the agency's commitment to fighting vote-buying and other financial practices that threaten Nigeria’s electoral integrity. He said, “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 noted that the EFCC has arrested many people across Nigeria for vote-buying and related electoral crimes, achieving some convictions. Those prosecuted include politicians, electoral officials, and ordinary citizens involved in electoral misconduct.

Mr Olukoyede shared plans for the EFCC to use drones and other technology to enhance election monitoring for the 2027 general elections. This will help track vote-buying and financial inducements at polling units.

He urged political parties and their supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns and to avoid inflammatory statements that can lead to violence. He called on stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society groups, the media, and political actors, to work together for peaceful, free, and credible elections.

Earlier, Wahab Egbewole (SAN), the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, called electoral corruption a major threat to national security and democratic growth. He emphasized that credible elections are vital for national stability, economic progress, and public trust in governance.

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

In his welcome address, G.A. Animasawun, Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, said the lecture series aims to create a platform for proactive discussions on threats to Nigeria's electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections. He mentioned that this initiative would gather policymakers, security experts, electoral officials, civil society groups, and scholars to find practical solutions for peaceful and credible elections.

The event saw attendance from representatives of security agencies, electoral bodies, civil society organizations, members of the academic community, and students.