2019 Election: INEC Chairman Speaks On Investigating Vote Buying Allegation Against FG’s Trader Moni Scheme

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to probe the TraderMoni micro-credit scheme of the Federal Government after several reports of vote-buying allegation through the scheme.

Naija News learnt the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this to reporters yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He said the electoral body was aware of the controversy trailing the TraderMoni, stressing that they would investigate the scheme for possible violation of campaign finance laws.

Professor Yakubu explained that the commission would study public comments on the scheme and assess whether or not the government violated the campaign finance laws.

According to him, INEC has a mechanism for tracking campaign finance violations by the candidates and various political parties in the country.

This comes amid accusations by individuals and groups, including civil society organisations who described the scheme as a form of vote-buying.

FG in a vote buying just approved 108 firms to supply electricity meters to stop estimated billing & improve power supply. abi FG should wait till after election to approve ba so that u guys continue with estimated bills & don’t complain again. Uche, Uchenna one more Long Island

— Woye (@woye1) January 21, 2019

Earlier, the INEC chairman addressed senior officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at a strategy meeting which focussed on the general elections.

In his presentation, he highlighted 10 areas of collaboration between the electoral body and the FRSC to ensure the success of the polls.

FRSC Corps Marshall and Chief Executive, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, on his part revealed that the Corps was already designing strategies and guidelines for officials during the elections.

He informed the INEC boss that a total of 20,000 officials would be deployed for the polls across the country.

Happening Now:#INEC Chair, Prof. M Yakubu visits the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) headquarters in Abuja and briefs its officers about preparations for 2019 General Elections. He was received by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.@FRSCNigeria pic.twitter.com/oqoQRgxoCA

— Rotimi L Oyekanmi (@rot1930) January 31, 2019

Oyeyemi said the FRSC has slated February 5 as commencement date to certify the vehicles that would be used in conveying sensitive election materials.