Fresh concerns have emerged over the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections following revelations by the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, that some governorship aspirants allegedly spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion to secure victory during party primaries.
Olukoyede raised the alarm while delivering the inaugural High Level Guest Speakers’ Series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin on Wednesday. Speaking on the theme, “De risking and Mobilising Critical Stakeholders for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Elections in Nigeria,” he warned that the growing influence of money in politics poses a significant threat to democratic governance and accountability.
According to him, the enormous sums allegedly invested in the pursuit of political office often create pressure on elected officials to recover their expenses after assuming office, a situation that can encourage the diversion of public resources for personal gain.
He stressed that the commercialisation of the electoral process weakens the foundation of good governance by compromising the quality of leadership that emerges from elections. Leaders who gain power through financial inducement, he noted, may prioritise recouping their investments instead of focusing on the welfare and interests of the people they were elected to serve.
The EFCC chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to combating vote buying and other forms of electoral corruption capable of undermining the credibility of elections in the country. He disclosed that the agency has carried out several arrests linked to vote trading and related offences across different parts of Nigeria, leading to a number of convictions involving politicians, electoral officials and ordinary citizens found guilty of electoral misconduct.
Olukoyede cautioned that allowing impunity to thrive within the electoral system could have serious consequences for democracy and national stability. He maintained that the enforcement of electoral laws must be impartial, insisting that no individual should be treated as untouchable when violations occur.
As part of efforts to strengthen election monitoring ahead of the 2027 polls, he revealed that the anti graft agency plans to deploy drones and other technological tools to detect and track incidents of vote buying and financial inducement, especially at polling units.
He also appealed to political parties and their supporters to embrace issue based campaigns and avoid divisive statements capable of provoking unrest. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and other political stakeholders to work together to ensure that future elections are peaceful, transparent and credible.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, described electoral corruption as a serious threat to democratic growth and national security. He emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships between academic institutions and agencies charged with protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Professor G.A. Animasawun, explained that the lecture series was established to encourage meaningful discussions on emerging threats to Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the initiative brings together policymakers, security experts, electoral officials, civil society groups and scholars to develop practical solutions that will support peaceful and credible polls.
The event drew participants from various sectors, including representatives of security agencies, electoral bodies, civil society organisations, members of the academic community and students, all united by a shared commitment to safeguarding the country’s democratic future.
