EFCC cannot stop vote buying in 2027 – Primate Ayodele

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will be unable to eliminate vote buying in the 2027 general elections, arguing that worsening poverty and the desperation of politicians will continue to fuel the practice.

Ayodele made the remarks in a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, in which he maintained that vote buying has become deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to the cleric, politicians have continued to exploit economic hardship by using money to influence voters during elections.

He argued that if the EFCC and other security agencies were to arrest everyone involved in vote buying, they would have to detain an overwhelming majority of both voters and political candidates.

“EFCC cannot stop vote buying in Nigeria. Despite the threats, it will still be much in the 2027 election because our politicians are too desperate,” Ayodele said.

He added: “If the EFCC or security operatives want to arrest people involved in vote buying, they should be ready to take in 98 per cent of the electorate and candidates because there is no candidate that won’t be involved in it.”

The cleric further claimed that the country’s economic challenges have made many Nigerians vulnerable to inducements during elections.

“Politicians have found a way to weaponise hardship and poverty. A lot of Nigerians cannot even feed their homes; some can’t afford one square meal, and for such a person, vote buying serves as a miracle,” he said.

Ayodele warned that without significant improvements in the country’s economy, efforts to curb vote buying would continue to face serious challenges.

According to him, improving citizens’ living conditions is the most effective way to discourage the practice.

“The only way vote buying can stop is if Nigeria becomes a better country economically. If people are able to afford basic things like food, there is no way any politician will be able to convince them to vote for him by giving them money. If not, it will never end,” he said.

The cleric’s comments come amid growing calls by stakeholders for stronger enforcement of electoral laws and measures to curb vote buying ahead of the 2027 general elections.