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KDI Demands Tougher Rules On Political Cash Flow
A new report by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has called for stricter oversight of political campaign financing in Nigeria, recommending that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) establish independent finance committees within political parties to ensure compliance with regulations.
The report, which assessed political finance in Edo and Ondo states, was presented in Abuja on Tuesday by KDI’s Head of Research and Strategy, Oluwafemi John Adebayo.
He emphasised the need for grassroots funding models, such as small-donor contributions, to enhance financial transparency in elections.
The KDI report proposed several measures to improve political finance oversight, including:the reintroduction of a data-driven formula for setting campaign spending ceilings, incorporating cost-per-vote share (CPV) analysis, inflation rates, and the number of registered voters.
“Periodic reviews of expenditure limits based on empirical data from previous elections and mandatory real-time reporting of major campaign expenditures and contributions for immediate oversight.
“Requiring political parties to submit pre-election financial reports in addition to post-election audits.
“Strengthening the Campaign Finance Monitoring Unit and the inter-agency committee on campaign finance with clear guidelines and frameworks.
“Collaborating with financial institutions to track political transactions and flag suspicious expenditures and increasing penalties for electoral finance violations to make them financially consequential.
“Mandating media outlets to report the cost of political advertisements to INEC for verification”,he said .
Speaking at the presentation, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanikpekum Olukoyede, commended KDI’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process..
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Represented by Effa Okim, he highlighted the risks of financial inducements and other irregularities in elections, warning that they could undermine the legitimacy of electoral outcomes and governance.
“The way leadership emerges often reflects the standards of the electoral process, and concerns about undue financial influence in elections have been widely discussed,” Okim stated.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, also reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to electoral reforms.
“While financial resources are essential for campaign activities, there is a compelling need to ensure that political financing remains within legal limits and does not become a tool for unlawfulness or the subversion of democracy,” Balogun said.
KDI Executive Director Bukola Idowu expressed concerns about the presence of unregulated financial flows, often referred to as “dark money,” in Nigerian politics.
He noted that both major political parties operate under large financial structures with little transparency or accountability.
“This lack of transparency and disregard for legal compliance, particularly concerning Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022, have significant impacts on the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria,” Idowu stated.
He emphasised that addressing political finance issues requires collective action, adding that KDI remains committed to promoting integrity, fairness, and accountability in the electoral system.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has been a key supporter of KDI’s research.
Speaking at the event, FCDO representative Mathew Ayibakuro underscored the importance of data-driven governance and transparency in political finance.
“As we all know, political finance is at the very heart of democratic integrity. Reports like this provide valuable insights into the mechanics of campaign financing and help guide policy discussions on electoral reforms,” Ayibakuro said.
The Nigeria Police Force said it has completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria.
Killaboi, who had been on the run for the murder of Augusta Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives, dated 29th September 2024.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which investigations revealed that the suspect murdered Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, in his residence located at No. 24a Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.
The statement said “He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity ‘KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Freetown.
“Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
“Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja.
He extended appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state has risen to 56.
The governor made the call on Saturday when he visited the scenes of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Ukum and Logo local government areas to ascertain the impact of the attacks.
Addressing journalists after the visit to the affected communities in the two local government areas, Alia condemned the violent attacks on the defenseless people and called for greater action from security agencies to nip these killings in the bud.
The governor used the visit to engage with community leaders and their people whom he assured of a better deal in addressing all forms of insecurity.
He also called for calm and urged the people to resist the will to resort to self-help
Security has also been beefed up in the Sankera axis where these attacks happened to restore confidence, while emergency services and relief items have been extended to the two local government areas.
In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State.
Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.
The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.
Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.
But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.
“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.
“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”
He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.
“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.
“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”