The Acting Chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has cautioned
politicians against misuse of public funds for the forthcoming general
elections.
Magu gave the warning in a
statement signed by the commission’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity Mr Tony
Orilade in Abuja on Wednesday.
The statement quoted Magu as
giving the warning at a one-day retreat for 36 state governors and key election
stakeholders.
Represented by the commission’s
secretary Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, Magu said that as another election cycle
approached, the EFCC would not fold its hands and watch the nation’s
commonwealth squandered by corrupt politicians.
The retreat, which has as its
theme as “Institutionalising Transparency, Accountability, And Anti-Corruption
Issues in the Electoral Process in Nigeria”, was organised by the Centre for
Values in Leadership (CVL).
He said EFCC would keenly monitor
the financial affairs of political parties to ensure that the use of public
funds to finance and prosecute their campaigns was checked.
He gave assurance that
henceforth, donations to political parties and the identities of the donors
would be of interest to the commission.
“To minimise corruption and the
use of public funds to fund political parties and finance elections, there is
need for greater effectiveness.
“In enforcing the provisions of
the various electoral laws in Nigeria especially as they relate to penalties
upon breach of their provisions.
“Political parties should be
required to keep proper records of all incomes, contributions and expenditure,
and to open their books for inspection by relevant security agencies after
every electioneering cycle,” Magu said.
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