Anti-graft agency plans drone deployment for 2027 polls as high campaign spending sparks corruption concerns

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that some governorship aspirants in Nigeria spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion during party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections. Olukoyede made this revelation on Wednesday while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaking at the inaugural guest speakers’ series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Olukoyede warned that such high expenditure poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy and encourages corruption among public officials. He noted that many politicians who invest vast sums in their campaigns are likely to divert public funds once in office, as they try to recoup their financial outlay.

Olukoyede stressed that the commercialisation of votes undermines good governance by compromising the political recruitment process. “Leaders who buy their way into office are more likely to focus on recovering their investments rather than serving the public interest,” he said. The EFCC chairman also highlighted that his agency has already made several arrests and secured convictions related to vote-buying and electoral offences, including politicians, electoral officials, and other individuals involved.

He further cautioned that impunity in electoral processes could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system. According to Olukoyede, there must be no sacred cows in enforcing electoral laws if credible elections are to be achieved. He announced that the EFCC is set to deploy drones and other technological tools during the 2027 general elections to improve monitoring of polling units and curb financial inducements.

Olukoyede called on political parties and all stakeholders to commit themselves to transparent election practices. As Nigeria prepares for the next election cycle, his remarks have reignited debate about campaign finance regulation and its impact on governance.

Source: https://punchng.com/2027-gov-aspirants-spent-n30bn-on-primaries-efcc-chair/

Dr Mohammed Shehu says transparency and fairness must guide ongoing tax changes as Joint Revenue Board visits FCT commission

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, has called for ongoing tax and revenue reforms to prioritise the protection of taxpayers while ensuring fair revenue allocation across Nigeria’s tiers of government. Shehu made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, and his delegation.

According to a release from RMAFC’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Maryam Yusuf, Shehu reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to promoting transparency, fairness, accountability and collaboration within Nigeria’s revenue administration system. He stressed that robust cooperation among agencies responsible for revenue generation was vital to achieving the objectives of current fiscal reforms.

The visit comes as federal and state governments push for policy harmonisation in Nigeria’s complex tax regime. Many Nigerians have expressed concerns about aspects of new tax measures, including electronic transfer levies and procedures for tax refunds. Shehu noted that continuous dialogue and technical engagement would be necessary to ensure public trust in the evolving system. “We must work together to ensure that ongoing revenue reforms protect the interests of taxpayers while guaranteeing equitable revenue allocation across all levels of government,” he said.

Shehu added that RMAFC would keep supporting government initiatives aimed at strengthening revenue generation provided there is strict compliance with existing laws. He highlighted that stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration remain essential for successful reform implementation. On electronic transfer taxes and other controversial measures, he emphasised that “continuous dialogue” is needed for fairness and efficiency.

Adesokan, representing state-level revenue authorities under the Joint Revenue Board, stated that their visit was meant to deepen collaboration with RMAFC towards effective rollout of new policies. He stressed that improved coordination among all institutions was crucial if Nigeria is to achieve significant gains in revenue collection and fiscal efficiency within the next five to six years. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding concerns about potential taxpayer burden under new reforms.

Source: https://punchng.com/tax-reforms-must-protect-taxpayers-rmafc/

Defence spokesperson insists collaboration is at Nigeria’s request as over 100 officers receive training in North-East

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has restated that all American military activities in Nigeria are carried out strictly on the invitation of the Nigerian government and within a mutually agreed framework. This assurance was given during an X Space discussion on Tuesday, with both US and Nigerian officials addressing concerns about foreign troops operating in the country.

Speaking during the session titled “Strengthening Security Through Strategic Information Sharing: United States and Nigerian Military Partnership Against Terrorism,” AFRICOM Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, emphasised that the United States respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and only operates within boundaries set by bilateral agreements. According to her, “Our operations and cooperation with Nigeria are rooted in fundamental respect for Nigerian sovereignty. We operate strictly by invitation and under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework.”

Heyse added that the partnership between both countries would continue as long as shared security threats exist and both sides find value in the arrangement. She said, “As long as there are shared security threats and the framework continues to be of value to both countries, the United States remains committed to the partnership.”

Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Major General Samiala Uba, reinforced this position from Abuja, noting that it is Nigeria that determines the scope and duration of any cooperation. Uba explained, “The cooperation is at the instance of Nigeria. The competencies, specialised capabilities and expertise the United States brings are things we require, and as long as we require them, we will continue to work together under the Joint Working Group framework.”

Uba revealed that hundreds of Nigerian military personnel are currently undergoing specialised training in the North-East under this partnership. He described these benefits as significant for national defence capacity building. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are benefiting immensely from this collaboration, including skills development and specialised training. There are many operational lessons we continue to learn through our interaction with the United States,” Uba stated.

The renewed assurances come amid public debate regarding foreign military presence in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and terrorism across several regions including Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the North-East geopolitical zone. Both AFRICOM and Defence Headquarters stressed that no foreign troops operate independently on Nigerian soil without government approval.

Officials say ongoing joint operations have helped improve intelligence sharing, operational planning, and tactical skills among Nigerian forces tackling Boko Haram and other armed groups. The Defence Headquarters maintained that collaboration will continue so long as it remains beneficial to national security objectives.

Source: https://punchng.com/us-military-presence-in-nigeria-based-on-invitation-africom/