BY Ayodele Oluwafemi
Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor sources of funds for party nomination forms.
Recently, the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms of the two major political parties in the country — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) — has elicited varied reactions.
In the APC, the presidential form is pegged at N100 million, while that of the PDP is N40 million.
Speaking on Friday in an interview with Channels Television, Bawa said the anti-graft agency is concerned about ensuring that corrupt persons are not given leadership positions in the country.
“Of course, it is quite some money. It will take a lifetime for you to save N40 million and N100 million,” the EFCC said.
“But as you know when it comes to the issue of monitoring of election funds and candidates’ funds, that has to do with the work of INEC in this regard.
“But of course, we are working hand in glove with INEC as well as other related agencies in that field to ensure that we follow the money and we know the source, whether it is legitimate or illegitimate, because that is what concerns us.
“Above all, we are concerned about good governance, transparency, accountability and we are concerned about ensuring that corrupt elements are not given leadership positions in this country.”
Asked if the EFCC will be willing to partner with relevant agencies to monitor source of funds used for nomination forms, Bawa added that the anti-graft agency is already partnering with relevant agencies in that regard.
“Certainly. That is why we are here. That is part of our mandate to investigate every movement of any fund to ensure legitimacy or otherwise,” he added.
“We are partnering already — not that we are willing to partner — and working together to ensure some certain sanctity of the system.”
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