Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, says the Independent National Electoral Commission is preparing to scrutinise campaign expenditure, discourage vote buying and prosecute electoral offences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a stakeholders meeting involving political parties, candidates and community representatives, Agwu urged contestants to concentrate on policies and public service rather than personal insults. She called on citizens to report attempts to purchase votes and warned politicians against offering money to electoral officials or recruiting thugs to disrupt voting.
The commissioner expressed confidence in INEC’s preparations and said technology would make stolen ballot boxes ineffective. Her assurances, however, remain commitments to be tested during the election rather than guarantees of a flawless exercise.
Separately, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike criticised INEC for what he described as its failure to challenge remarks allegedly made by African Democratic Congress vice presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi about supporters of President Bola Tinubu. Wike argued that political campaigns should focus on issues, although he also threatened that Amaechi could encounter resistance while campaigning in Rivers State. Amaechi’s response was not included in the account provided.
Wike also rejected an indefinite strike announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the FCT, describing it as politically motivated. He instructed area councils to encourage workers to resume duties and warned that the administration would apply a no work, no pay policy. The union’s response to his latest remarks was not provided.
