Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, in Lagos have seized a whopping sum of N32.4 million in new notes suspected to be used for votes buying in the state ahead the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for February 25, 2023.

This is coming barely one week after President Muhammadu Buhari did a national broadcast on the lingering shortage of the new naira notes and the attendant unintended suffering many Nigerians have been made to go through. The President had assured that the government would work with relevant security agencies to check the involvement of money in the 2023 pools.

EFCC in a post on its verified Twitter handle Friday, disclosed that the operatives of the anti-graft agency have also arrested one suspect in connection with the seizure, adding the suspect, who has been detained, is currently helping the agency in its investigations.

The tweet reads in part: “The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32,400,000 allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos.

“The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the commission. The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning.

Speaking on the effect of the naira redesign policy on vote buying the president said: “​Fellow citizens, on the 25th of February, 2023 the nation would be electing a new President and National Assembly members. I am aware that this new monetary policy has also contributed immensely to the minimisation of the influence of money in politics.

“This is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by this administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.

“Let me re-assure Nigerians, that strengthening our economy, enhancing security and blockage of leakages associated with illicit financial flows remain top priority of our administration. And I shall remain committed to my oath of protecting and advancing the interest of Nigerians and the nation, at all times.”