2019: We’ll keep an eye on campaign spending — EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned politicians against reckless spending and bribery as the 2019 general elections draw close.

Acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, who spoke at an interaction with journalists on Wednesday, said the commission will monitor banks for suspicious transactions in the build up to the elections.

The EFFC, he said, is “very seriously pursuing this issue”, adding that the commission will partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the rising cases of vote-buying.

Mr Magu said investigation of election financing, which started with the investigation of the 2015 election funding, was aimed at “disinfecting the electoral process”.

He said excessive use of money during elections leads to “gross financial abuse and perversion of the electoral process” and enthrone “bad leadership which in turn creates corruption and bad governance.”

The EFCC boss said the commission will henceforth “bring banks and other collaborators to book.