EFCC, AANISS Unite to Curb Vote Buying

ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) have struck a pivotal partnership aimed at stamping out vote buying and electoral fraud to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

This commitment emerged on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, during a courtesy visit by AANISS executives, led by President Mike Ejiofor, to EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede at the agency’s Jabi headquarters. Ejiofor highlighted the theme of AANISS’s upcoming 2026 Annual Lecture—”Credible Elections in Nigeria and National Security”—praising EFCC’s recent arrests on vote buying, which he described as the “greatest challenge” to fair polls.

He called for heightened EFCC action as the 2027 general elections approach, offering AANISS expertise through consultancy, advice, and resource persons. Olukoyede affirmed vote buying falls squarely under EFCC’s mandate, citing numerous convictions and proactive measures like pre-election intelligence gathering and contingent planning to preempt fraud.

Proactive Anti-Corruption Measures

Olukoyede detailed the EFCC’s Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Directorate, which tracks monthly fund releases to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for prevention over recovery. He stressed asset recovery’s role in deterring criminals by stripping ill-gotten gains, preventing prolonged legal battles funded by crime proceeds.

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The EFCC boss underscored the tight link between financial crimes, corruption, and national security, urging AANISS members to champion integrity and support agencies via synergy. He positioned the anti-corruption drive as vital for economic stability and reduced fraud, with prevention at its core.

This collaboration aligns with EFCC’s broader electoral role, including past INEC partnerships against vote buying. As Nigeria eyes credible 2027 polls, the alliance signals a multi-stakeholder push linking security expertise with enforcement to foster transparent governance. Both leaders agreed Nigerians must embrace anti-corruption as national policy, tying it inextricably to security.