EFCC Nabs ₦32.4 Million Cash Meant for Vote-Buying in Lagos

In a bid to deter vote buying and other financial malfeasance ahead of the presidential and national assembly elections in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a massive operation to crackdown on these illegal activities. The commission’s efforts appear to be paying off, as operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command have intercepted the sum of N32.4 million (approximately $85,000) in cash suspected to be used for vote buying.

The recovery was made by operatives who acted on intelligence, and the suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning. The EFCC has also urged all personnel deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducements.

The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated that the EFCC’s tactical team of operatives is currently on the ground in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He further added that telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission. Details of the numbers are available on EFCC social media platforms.

The EFCC has encouraged members of the public to report anyone attempting to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting app, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on Google Play or the Apple store. They can also reach the Commission through their social media handle, @officialefcc, or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.

The interception of the alleged vote-buying cash underscores the commitment of the EFCC to ensuring that the forthcoming elections are free, fair, and credible. Vote buying and other forms of financial malfeasance have been a persistent problem in Nigerian elections, with politicians and their supporters offering cash and other forms of inducements to voters in exchange for their support.

These practices undermine the integrity of the electoral process, compromise the credibility of elected officials, and damage public trust in the democratic system. The EFCC’s intervention is therefore crucial in ensuring that the forthcoming elections are conducted in an atmosphere of transparency, accountability, and fairness.

The EFCC has warned that anyone caught engaging in vote-buying or other forms of financial malfeasance will be made to face the full weight of the law. The Commission has assured Nigerians that it will spare no effort in ensuring that the forthcoming elections are free, fair, and credible, and has called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the Commission to achieve this goal.

The EFCC’s intervention in intercepting the alleged vote-buying cash sends a strong message to politicians and their supporters that they cannot subvert the democratic process through illegal means. It is a clear demonstration of the Commission’s resolve to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and protect the rights of citizens to vote freely and fairly.