Osun Poll: Police Arrest SSG, Five Others Over Alleged Vote Merchandising

The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, along with five others over alleged vote-buying offences ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to a statement issued by the command, the arrests followed a raid on the SSG’s residence at Oroki Estate in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The Police said officers recovered Permanent Voter Cards, a register containing voters’ details, ₦4.8 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, photocopying machines, a printer and voter registers for Wards One to Fifteen in Osogbo Local Government Area.

The command identified the remaining suspects as Abiodun Arowomole, also known as “Ashipa,” who was described as a wanted murder suspect, as well as Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye and Musiliu Aderemi.

Police said investigations are continuing into allegations of vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect, stressing that the case could have significant implications for electoral integrity and the justice system.

The command also assured residents that it would continue to enforce the law impartially and called on members of the public to support efforts to ensure a peaceful, free and credible governorship election.

However, it was gathered that Igbalaye later reported himself at the Police Command after learning of the operation at his residence.

The Osun State Government condemned the raid, insisting it was unlawful.

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said ward officials were holding a meeting at the residence during the operation, while the SSG was participating in an INEC stakeholders’ forum elsewhere.

He further alleged that Police officers had earlier raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, claiming the property was searched and several belongings damaged.

The state government called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, President Bola Tinubu, traditional rulers and the Nigeria Police Force to intervene, alleging that government officials and members of the Accord Party were being selectively targeted.

Meanwhile, the APC Campaign Council welcomed the Police action, saying it supported the party’s long-standing claims about alleged plans to influence the election through vote-buying.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Remi Omowaye, the council said: “For months, the APC has consistently raised concerns over the activities of violent political elements operating in the state. We have repeatedly warned that Governor Ademola Adeleke and his co-travellers… have resorted to intimidation, violence and other unlawful means… This latest raid has vindicated our party.

“To this end, we commend the Nigeria Police Force for the professional operation and encourage the security agencies to sustain the momentum by conducting thorough investigations wherever credible intelligence points to the stockpiling of weapons or the harboring of criminal elements. No individual should be above the law.”

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