The head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerians to reject vote buying and money politics as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. He warned that these practices pose a massive threat to the nation’s democracy.
Olukoyede made this passionate appeal on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during an inaugural lecture at the University of Ilorin. The event was organized by the institution’s Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS).
Speaking on the theme of mobilizing stakeholders for peaceful and credible elections, the EFCC boss emphasized that the Commission is fully committed to stopping politicians from turning elections into a financial marketplace.
He pointed out a harsh reality: politicians who spend fortunes to buy their way into public office are usually more focused on recovering their “investments” than actually serving the citizens who voted for them.
“The EFCC is opposed to the commercialization of votes not only because it is a financial crime, but because it weakens the foundation of good governance by compromising the political recruitment process. Leaders who pay their way into public office are unlikely to prioritise public good and accountability,” Olukoyede stated.
To show the Commission means business, he revealed that the EFCC has already secured several arrests, prosecutions, and convictions against politicians and electoral officials involved in vote-buying syndicates.
He admitted that modern electoral corruption has evolved, with players now using covert tactics, coded messaging, and off-site financial arrangements to bribe voters under the radar.
“We are aware of these tactics and are prepared to safeguard the integrity of our elections,” the anti-corruption chief confidently declared.
To ensure a credible outcome in 2027, Olukoyede listed key priorities, including stricter enforcement of electoral laws, issue-based campaigns, neutral security operations, and strong stakeholder collaboration.
Rounding off, he challenged political parties to stop using inflammatory language, urged the media to expose dirty money, and expressed total confidence that a united front would restore public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
