The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including its state chairman, Abayomi Tella, alongside two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for alleged involvement in vote buying during the Remo Federal Constituency by-election.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Saturday in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, reportedly in possession of huge sums of cash believed to have been set aside to bribe electoral officials and influence voters. Police sources said the suspects have already provided “useful information” on their roles in what was described as a grand plan to rig the poll.
However, the PDP in Ogun State has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that Tella was arrested in his hotel room in what it described as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition. The party claimed the arrest was politically motivated and designed to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an undue advantage in the election.
Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who cast his vote at PU 002, Ward 3, Ita-Osanyin, Iperu, commended INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election. He also lauded voters for turning out in good numbers and expressed optimism that the process would reflect the people’s will.
As of press time, police authorities were yet to issue a formal statement on the arrests.
