Security operatives in Ogun State have arrested the Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, alongside two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several others, in the early hours of Saturday.
The arrests took place in Iperu Remo, where the suspects were allegedly found with large sums of cash believed to be intended for bribery and vote manipulation in the ongoing House of Representatives bye-election.
The bye-election is being conducted by INEC to fill the Sagamu/Ikenne/Remo North Federal Constituency seat left vacant following the death of Hon. Adewumi Onanuga, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, who passed away in a UK hospital in January.
According to preliminary investigations, the funds recovered from the suspects were allegedly earmarked to influence voters and compromise the integrity of the poll.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, through the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, warned that law enforcement agencies would not tolerate any act capable of undermining the electoral process.
“For a credible and transparent election, voters are to align with electoral laws and must not be found engaging in vote-buying or any conduct that could cause breach of peace. The applicable law will be enforced against anyone found culpable,” the statement read.
Although the exact amount of money recovered has not been disclosed, police sources confirmed that the operation was part of heightened surveillance aimed at curbing electoral malpractice and ensuring credible polls.
