Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed the hope that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent cORRUPT practices Commission will help to stop vote buyers during the upcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
According to him, the intervention of the agencies has been making a difference, adding that the Gombe State office of the EFCC had secured first conviction for vote buying during elections.
He said, “We are going to deepen our collaboration with the EFCC and the ICPC in this respect. They will keep eyes on the movement of cash during campaigns and on the election day.
“Prior to 2015, some suspected vote-buyers were arrested by the EFCC. Some have been charged to court. The latest update that I received indicated that the EFCC has secured the first conviction in Gombe State. That is certainly a cause for celebration.”
Yakubu said the commission would be working with all security agencies to ensure the safety of both men and sensitive materials during the elections.
Yakubu stated this during the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties, under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council.
