President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to the elimination of corruption in campaign financing, saying he will not authorise the use of funds from the public treasury for his re-election campaign.
Buhari spoke after of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President directed Council members to take advantage of technology to reach out to voters on the need to return the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the forthcoming general elections.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said: “As political parties spread their ideologies and views to every nook and cranny 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 authorise 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.
He was quoted as saying: “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.”
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 her 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.
