The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Garba Madami, said Monday in Kwara that he resisted money from politicians offered to compromise the general elections in the country just completed in 2019.
Mr. Madami, who comes from Gurara State Local Government Area, told reporters after his daughter was married in Minna.
“To compromise the 2019 general elections in Kwara state, there was pressure from politicians who were giving me money but I stood on my ground and refused to give up,” he said.
“The nature of our work is too tempting at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“It is left to do the right thing between you and God, keeping your integrity or compromise, and losing your integrity. You might even go to prison,” he said.
He denounced money politics and a situation where politicians believe they can buy consciousness from the people to do their dirty work.
“Politicians have money and some feel that with the money they can buy anyone.
“It’s an integrity issue, it’s up to you to be careful and work transparently to maintain your integrity.
“What I did before the elections in Kwara State was to go on air and tell people that no amount of money can buy me.
“I made them understand that their votes will count and they were not willing to compromise,” he said.
However, the REC said the 765 cases before the election petition tribunal across the country were due to political parties ‘ lack of internal democracy.
“If the different political parties respect their constitutions and do the necessary things, you’ll have less to worry about,” he said.
He said INEC was the country’s most organized agency because all the systems work.
“All staff and departments are working, i.e. INEC is working,” he said.
Mr. Madami said one of his major challenges in the state was to bring the commission’s staff together for optimal performance.
“I am grateful to God that my staff is doing well today,” he said.
He said his ultimate objective was to make Nigeria and INEC proud by carrying out their duties in a transparent manner.
