The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arrest of its chairman, Hon. Abayomi Tella, in the early hours of Saturday, describing it as a ploy to intimidate and disenfranchise its members ahead of the Remo federal constituency by-election.
Director of Media and Communications of the party, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, in a statement made available to PLATFORM TIMES, said Tella was arrested at K Oil Hotel, Iperu Remo, around 3:30am by security operatives who allegedly broke into his hotel room in what he termed a “commando-style operation.”
According to him, the PDP chairman was in his hotel room relaxing with his driver and an aide when he was whisked away.
Bankole maintained that contrary to reports, no electoral materials were found in Tella’s possession, nor was he caught with large sums of money.
“The chairman had only ₦100,000 in his room. No electoral material was discovered in his hotel room or car.
It is part of a grand plan to scare our people and disenfranchise them. This is unfortunate and shameful in a democracy,” the PDP spokesperson stated.
He also dissociated Tella from the arrest of two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others who were allegedly apprehended with large amounts of cash in the area.
“The chairman does not know the INEC staff arrested. It is practically impossible for him to lodge in the same hotel room with an INEC official.
He was only carrying out his responsibility as the state chairman of the party under whose watch this election is being conducted,” Bankole added.
While insisting that the arrest was politically motivated, the party called on relevant authorities to ensure the immediate release of its chairman, warning that attempts to suppress opposition voices during the election would not stand.
Security operatives had earlier confirmed the arrest of Tella, two INEC officials, and others in Iperu Remo with what they described as “large sums of cash” suspected to be meant for vote-buying.
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