The 18 registered political parties have accused state governors of trying to sabotage the electoral process by stifling the opposition in their various states ahead of the 2023 general elections.
They made the accusation on Monday in Abuja at a one-day stakeholders’ summit on ‘Addressing the Influence of Money in the 2023 General Election’.
This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security and anti-graft agencies have also decried the high cost of electioneering and the ruinous influence of money politics on the nation’s democracy.
Speaking on behalf of the 18 registered political parties, the chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani, accused the state governors of preventing opposition parties from selling their manifestos to the people.
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According to him, if the use of money is allowed a free reign, there is no guarantee that elections will be credible, transparent, acceptable and rancour-free.
Also speaking, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed concern over the financial inducement of voters which, he said, undermines their judgment to make the right choices.
The INEC boss listed proactive measures taken by the commission to mitigate vote buying to include reconfiguration of polling units to bring 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 smartphones and photographic devices by voters in the voting cubicles. Yet, these measures recorded limited success.
“Let me remind the public that the ban on cellphones at voting cubicles is still in force,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, urged political parties to adhere strictly to the election guidelines and make full disclosures of their sources of campaign finances.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hajiya Hadiza Gamawa, the EFCC boss also reminded candidates and their parties to be guided by the provisions of Section 2 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 on limitation to make or accept cash payment.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, said 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.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said vote-buying is another form of coup d’etat.
“A government that comes to offices through vote buying is emboldened to indulge in impunity because it is not accountable to the people. Corruption will thrive because the mandate is procured,” Owasanoye said.
Contact, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Barkindo, said the NGF secretariat doesn’t deal with politics and that the secretariat has already closed ahead of the festive season.
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