Naira Scarcity: Some Politicians Planning to Buy Votes in Kind Not Cash – Bawa

With the general elections barely 48 hours away, 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 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 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 citzens and must be stopped by all means.

When asked what hurdle the commission is facing regarding the 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 in 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 are those that have genuinely sold themselves in what they will do when they get into office.”