Security operatives on Saturday arrested two suspected officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and a politician in Ogun State after they were allegedly caught with huge sums of cash.
The suspects were picked up at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, ahead of the by-election in the state.
In a viral video, a man and a woman said to be INEC staff were seen squatting on the floor as they were questioned by security agents. Some alleged members of the Peoples Democratic Party were also with them at the scene.
The officer interrogating the group said intelligence revealed that the electoral officials had earlier been approached by party representatives and handed a large amount of money for vote buying.
Meanwhile, reports of open vote buying also surfaced in Anambra State during the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election. The contest, which followed the death of Hon Justice Azuka, has seen the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance and the African Democratic Congress trading financial strength to secure support.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo is backing APGA’s candidate to prove the party’s dominance ahead of November’s governorship election, while ADC is pushing for Mrs Justina Azuka, widow of the late lawmaker, with support from Mr Peter Obi.
At the Omagba area, APGA agents were said to be offering N10,000 per voter, while ADC was allegedly giving N5,000.
A resident, Mr Ikechukwu Orji, who witnessed the activities, said: “So far the election is going well, I have not witnessed any violence but here in Omagba and Osuma wards, we have seen party agents openly canvassing for votes. It is not a hidden thing, APGA is paying N10,000 per vote while ADC is paying N5,000.”
Another source, who asked not to be named, claimed the money “is surely coming from both Soludo and Peter Obi”, adding that the candidates alone could not afford such spending.
