EFCC Chairman calls for fair elections in 2027

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerians to ensure peaceful, fair, and clear elections in 2027. He described vote buying as a serious threat to democracy.

Mr Olukoyede made this statement on Wednesday. He spoke during the first lecture of the High-Level Guest Speakers’ Series at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS) at the University of Ilorin.

The lecture focused on the theme: “Mobilising Critical Stakeholders for Setting the Agenda for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria.”

The EFCC chairman said the Commission is dedicated to fighting the use of money in elections. He noted that vote buying, vote selling, and other types of financial influence harm democracy and good governance.

He explained that political leaders who get into office through financial means often care more about recovering their money than serving the people. He shared that the EFCC has made many arrests and prosecutions of those involved in electoral crimes, including politicians and electoral officials.

He assured Nigerians that the Commission will work harder as the 2027 elections approach. He stressed that vote buying is a crime that will be prosecuted seriously.

Mr Olukoyede pointed out that electoral corruption is becoming more clever. He said offenders now use secret methods, coded messages, and off-site plans to sway voters.

“We know about these tricks and are ready to protect the integrity of our elections,” he stated. He warned political actors against using what he called a “cash-and-carry approach” to win elections.

The anti-graft chief highlighted the need for better teamwork among stakeholders. He mentioned enforcing electoral laws, promoting issue-based campaigns, responsible media reporting, fair security operations, and effective conflict resolution as key to credible elections.

He urged political parties to agree on decent campaign practices and reject vote buying together. He noted that aggressive language and divisive politics have led to violence in past elections.

Mr Olukoyede also asked the media to take a more active role in revealing electoral corruption, especially vote-buying networks. He called on security agencies to remain professional and neutral during the elections.

He stated that well-planned security measures would greatly lower electoral risks and boost public trust in democracy.

Earlier, the Director of the Centre, G. A. Animasawun, said the lecture series aims to create a platform for stakeholders to identify and tackle threats to Nigeria's democratic process before the 2027 elections.

He mentioned that the Centre wants to go beyond academic talks and find real solutions to improve electoral integrity, peace, and national security.

In his welcome speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Wahab Egbewole, SAN, called electoral corruption a major national security issue. He urged stronger cooperation among institutions to stop electoral fraud.

He praised the EFCC under Mr Olukoyede for taking a preventive approach to corruption in elections. He suggested a partnership between the Commission and the CPSS to enhance research, training, and policies on the link between electoral corruption and national security.

The event had participants from the electoral management body, security agencies, civil society groups, academia, the media, and other key stakeholders dedicated to strengthening Nigeria's democratic institutions as the 2027 elections approach.