2023: INEC, NPF, EFCC, ICPC, ARCON, others  organise One-Day Stakeholders Summit to  address the influence of money on elections

Oru Leonard

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and others on Monday at Abuja, organised a One-Day Stakeholders Summit to address the influence of money on the 2023 General Election.

In his welcome address, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu noted that the negative role of money in elections goes to the very heart of the nation’s democracy.

“It destroys the very basis of democratic elections which is that citizens should freely choose those who exercise power on their behalf. It renders the emergence of the right candidates for positions extremely difficult, undermines fair electoral adjudication, and destroys the professional and independent conduct of INEC officials and other public agencies involved in elections. Even more worrisome is the high prospect that criminal money may find its way into our elections through money laundering.”

He further said that the pernicious use of money increases the likelihood of election violence due to a “win at all costs” mentality among contestants who would have invested a fortune in election.

“Surely, election is not a business venture for profit. Instead, it is an application to serve the people with the understanding that they may prefer someone else on one occasion. But then, there would be an opportunity to reapply after four years. Citizens’ choices must never be subverted by the negative use of money”, he added.

Yakubu said many Nigerians have demanded to know from INEC what the Commission is doing about the influence of money in elections, particularly the diabolical purchase of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from voters ahead of the election and vote buying at Polling Units on Election Day. “Over the years, we introduced a number of measures, including the slight reconfiguration of our Polling Units to bring the ballot boxes closer to the voting cubicles to discourage the exposure of the marked ballot papers by voters to vote buyers. We also banned the use of smart phones and photographic devices by voters in the voting cubicles. Yet, these measures have recorded limited success”, he disclosed.

He also disclosed that the aum of the summit was to sanitise and strengthen our electoral process because in dealing with the corruption of elections by money, the Commission cannot do it alone. “To succeed, we must mobilise every relevant national institution to support our effort. We must rely on the professional and other capacities of cognate agencies in our determination to improve electoral administration in Nigeria. That is why we appreciate the collaboration with the Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)” he stated.

He appealed to voters to draw the attention of polling officials wherever they observe that these basic rules are not complied with.

Speaking the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Bala Chiroma, said apart from electoral violence, thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes, one key issue affecting the credibility of elections in Nigeria today is the use of money to try and tilt the outcome of the elections, with consequential negative effects of poor governance and denying the public good governance as they are most likely not the best candidates.

He the Nigerian Police cannot rule out attempts to entice the political umpires/ security agents with money to influence the outcome of elections, however, concerted efforts are being made by the Nigeria police as the lead agency in electoral security management, to ensure that the use of money is not allowed to influence the 2023 general elections or at least ensure that this menace is brought to the barest minimum.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council and the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Party, Sani Yabagi, advised Nigerians to rally round only candidates capable of repositioning the country, rather than politicians desirous of buying their way to power.