The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, cannot stop vote buying in the upcoming 2027 election because Nigerian politicians are too desperate.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele said if the EFCC actually moves to arrest people engaging in vote buying, it means that 98 per cent of the electorate and candidates will have to be arrested, which is totally impossible.

He noted that politicians have found a way to weaponise poverty in the country and use it to their advantage during elections.

The man of God explained that most Nigerians are ready to sell their conscience for a meagre amount of money because of the economic hardship.

He said: “EFCC cannot stop vote buying in Nigeria. Despite the threats, it will still be much in the 2027 election because our politicians are too desperate.

“If the EFCC or security operatives want to arrest people involved in vote buying, they should be ready to take in 98 per cent of the electorate and candidates because there is no candidate that won’t be involved in it.

“In fact, if arrests were made regarding vote buying, most Nigerians would be sleeping in EFCC custody on the election day; it’s practically impossible to end it in Nigeria.

“This is because politicians have found a way to weaponise hardship and poverty. A lot of Nigerians cannot even feed their homes; some can’t afford one square meal, and for such a person, vote buying serves as a miracle for him or her.”

The man of God explained that if vote buying must stop in Nigeria, the country must be better economically to a certain extent, where citizens will be able to afford basic things.

“The only way vote buying can stop is if Nigeria becomes a better country economically. If people are able to afford basic things like food, there is no way any politician will be able to convince them to vote for him by giving them money. If not, it will never end,” he said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Monday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is the only opposition party challenging the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Wike made the remark while congratulating President Bola Tinubu on the APC’s victory in Saturday’s bye-elections across Nigeria.

He spoke during the commissioning of the Water Supply Network to Karu Satellite Town as part of projects marking Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

According to Wike, the PDP remains the leading opposition party in Nigeria.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to congratulate your party for winning Saturday’s bye-elections and also congratulate my party for maintaining its position as the opposition.

“In every political setting, there must be winners and an opposition. Today, we have seen the ruling party and the opposition party.

“The opposition is not about talking but about challenging the ruling party, and we are the only party challenging the ruling party. Therefore, we are the leading opposition party.”