… EFCC deploys officers for election monitoring duties
…gives hotlines where people can report incidents of vote buying
Less than two days to the general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says intelligence at its disposal has shown some politicians are planning to buy votes in kind rather than with cash.
EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The 2023 Verdict, amid the scarcity of the new naira notes experienced by Nigerians nationwide.
“We have intel that a lot of people have bought some items that they want [to use] to buy votes in kind not in cash. Some of these things are out there,” he stated.
“Politicians are also Nigerians. We too have a way of doing our own things. We have our own experiences in this as well.”
The EFCC boss asked all Nigerians to cooperate with the anti-graft agency in its efforts in fighting vote-buying in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.
He also urged the citizens to vote for people with integrity and ethical standard into elective positions.
According to him, vote-buying is a serious issue that affects the future of Nigeria and its citizens and must be stopped by all means.
When asked what hurdle the commission is facing regarding vote-buying, Bawa said, “I think the hurdle is if Nigerians are not buying into what we are doing. I think that is the biggest hurdle.
“Once we are united on that front because the office of the citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most powerful office in this country.
“We can all come together to ensure that the people we are voting into various elective positions are people with proven integrity and of higher ethical standard. The only way you can determine that those have genuinely sold themselves in what they will do is when they get into office.”
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to ensure the integrity of the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has deployed officers of the Commission to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, to monitor the p
Bawa charged the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation and to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“You are out on a national assignment and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage.
“You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters. The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections,” Bawa stated.
Apart from the teams deployed across the country, the EFCC has also released incidents reporting hotlines for the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
The Commission urged members of the public to report any case of vote buying or selling, or other evidence of financial malpractices designed to compromise the electoral outcome through these hotlines.
Members of the public can also report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.
Additionally, the public can reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng
The hotlines and Eagle Eye App flyers are attached to this statement.
