INEC To Probe FG’s TraderMoni Scheme

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it
will probe the TraderMoni micro-credit scheme of the Federal
Government.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this to
reporters on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

While the preparations for the coming elections were taking
shape, the INEC chairman raised several concerns about vote buying
by some politicians.

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.

READ ALSO: PDP Condemns TraderMoni Initiative As APC Defends
Scheme

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.

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.

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