Money-based elections fading off Nigeria, as President Buhari vows not to open treasury to APC Presidential campaign

*Presides over valedictory session for Minister, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja reiterated his commitment to eliminate corruption in campaign financing in the country, pledging that he will not authorise the use of any money from the treasury for his re-election campaign.

President Buhari, who spoke at the close of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, directed cabinet ministers to take advantage of technology to reach out to voters on the need to return the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in next month’s general elections.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, issued in Abuja on Wednesday and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER, the African Union Anti-Corruption crusade leader decried that cash payment to voters and its corrupting influence in electioneering process have again become a topical issue as political parties spread their ideologies and view to every nook and corner of the country.

The President however urged his ministers and, by extention, all members of his ruling party to exploit of the opportunity afforded by cheaper and more far-reaching technology in seeking votes for the party and government at the next month election.

It will be recalled that six months to general elections in 2014, Nigeria bobbled and citizens, whose conscience had been monitised by money-based election practitioners, jumped across places working for the money that was later, upon coming to power of the current administration, discovered to be government money looted by ruling party from State treasury.

But Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria and Leader of the ruling APC insists there will be nothing of such beginning from this first general elections to happen under his watch, saying there is no money from the treasury.

“As political parties spread their ideologies and views to every nook and corner of the country, the issue of cash payment to voters and its corrupting influence in electioneering has once again become a topical issue.

“Try and use text and multi-media messages to seek votes for the party and government.

‘‘There is no money from the treasury for use in the campaigns. I will not authorize that,” he said.

President Buhari declared that the APC-led administration has a clear development agenda best suited to take Nigeria forward and sustain economic development.

‘‘This message needs to be taken to all Nigerians but we cannot use money from the treasury to share out to prospective voters.

‘‘Nigerians want change and we alone can deliver that change. Our people can no longer be swayed by money politics,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion, which was a valedictory session for the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, to wish the minister success in her electoral contest.

The Minister had signified her desire to leave the cabinet, in line with existing regulations, to run for a legislative seat in her native Yobe State.