The Ogun state Chairman of Afenifere,a vibrant and active social Political group,Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje spoke extensively with our News medium on INEC’s demand for all candidates to declare their bank assets prior to the 2023 General elections and other concerned issues.

In his words on INEC and Party Candidates Bank assets,he said “My first concern is what is INEC’s definition of “bank assets?” Is it just bank account balances or more than that? If its just bank account balances, I doubt what practical use such information will be to INEC.

Secondly, I wonder whether INEC has the legal authority to request candidates to declare their “bank assets”. Yes the agency is authorised to monitor campaign expenditure but does that ipso facto confer on them the power to request bank balances? I’m not so sure of that. Code of Conduct Bureau and perhaps EFCC or ICPC may have such authority but its not clear that INEC does.”

Responding to the commission’s move to establish a finance monitoring teams,Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje says, “It is desirable and proper for INEC to establish mechanisms to monitor campaign finance and expenditure. The funds expended on political campaigns in Nigeria have become unreasonably huge and is now a critical component of Nigerian corruption and political dysfunction. I support any lawful effort to constrain and control this issue within the ambit of the law.”

The Ogun State Afenifere chairman emphasized that The EFCC and Deposit Money Banks have the responsibility to report suspicious financial transactions and he support leveraging this mechanism to monitor campaign finances…

“The Constitution guarantees freedom of association to all Nigerians so I can understand as many parties as possible seeking INEC registration. As a practical matter of course I recognise the operational, logistics and political difficulties inherent in having too many political parties. Nevertheless I believe every legitimate and conscientious political tendency should have the right to express themselves through a political party.”Otunba Agbaje maintained.

“I am excited at the news that youths and students top new voters registrations. I urge all youths, students, professionals, workers and indeed all Nigerians who are yet to register to do so. We can aim to register 12 million additional voters before the General Elections and take new registrations to over 20million!!! I know that’s an ambitious target but we need ambitious objectives and goals if we must reform and transform Nigeria.The Youths deserves encouragement to take up challenges and prepare for the future.

Presently, Afenifere Social Political group is made up of very active, focused and visionary youths with their membership growing by the day,”he added