The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has warned political office holders against using state funds or government apparatuses for campaigns or intimidation of their opponents.
Prof. Mahmood who was represented by a National Commissioner, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine gave the warning on Monday in Abuja while delivering a lecture entitled “Political corruption and other emerging issues for the 2019 elections” at an event organized by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) in partnership with Christian Voice to the People (V2P) and Hope Givers Initiative (HOG-I).
He disclosed that the Commission has the power to closely monitor campaign financing and sources of funds according to the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
According to him
“Another interesting area of campaign finance spending to watch out for is the use of state administrative resources by incumbents, particularly now that the campaigns have fully kicked off.
“Section 100 (2) of the EA provides that ‘state apparatus shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election’.”
