Daud Olatunji
Widespread violence, alleged vote-buying, and voter apathy on Saturday marred the by-elections conducted across several states to fill vacant senatorial and House of Representatives seats.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the seats vacant following the resignation or death of their former occupants.
According to the commission, 3.5 million registered voters across 12 states were expected to participate in the exercise.
Ogun State: PDP Chairman, INEC Staff Arrested
In Ogun State, the polls in the Remo Federal Constituency turned chaotic as security operatives arrested the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abayomi Tella, alongside two suspected INEC officials and another party chieftain.
They were allegedly found with large sums of money suspected to be meant for vote-buying at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
In a viral video, the arrested INEC staff, who identified themselves as Constance and Amina, were seen being interrogated. Security operatives alleged that they had been compromised by political actors.
Tella, however, denied knowledge of the money, insisting, “I don’t know anything about this money you’re talking about. I am still waiting for you to tell me why I am here.”
Confirming the arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, said investigations were ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Ogun PDP described the development as intimidation, alleging that security operatives were working to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an advantage.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, condemned the incident, saying, “Rather than apprehending the real perpetrators of violence, the police and DSS are harassing the opposition.”
The by-election also witnessed sporadic shootings, ballot box snatching, and intimidation of voters in parts of Sagamu, Isara, and Iperu. Thugs reportedly stormed polling units, chased away opposition supporters, and carted away ballot boxes.
The PDP candidate, Bola Oluwole, described the exercise as a “charade,” accusing Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC of unleashing thugs on voters. But the governor’s aide, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations as “baseless and mischievous.”
Kaduna State: Suspected Vote-Buyer Caught with N25m
In Kaduna, a suspected vote-buyer, identified as Shehu Patangi, was arrested with N25,963,000 cash allegedly meant to compromise the process.
The police spokesman, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect confessed to intending to bribe voters.
However, the state PDP chairman, Edward Marshal, denied the allegation, explaining that the money was meant for allowances of the party’s field agents and logistics.
He said, “We have structures across 169 wards with polling agents, collation officers, and supervisors. If you pay each N33,000, it runs into tens of millions. That is the money they claimed was for vote-buying.”
Kano State: 288 Thugs Arrested
In Kano, security operatives arrested no fewer than 288 suspected thugs armed with dangerous weapons in Shanono, Bagwai, and Ghari constituencies.
Police spokesperson Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the arrests, saying items recovered included pump-action rifles, locally made guns, cutlasses, knives, and catapults.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Abdu Zango, also confirmed that security agents intercepted armed groups attempting to disrupt the polls in Bagwai.
Meanwhile, the APC called on INEC to cancel the Shanono/Bagwai and Ghari elections, citing violence and intimidation.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said, “Proceeding with the elections under this atmosphere of brigandage undermines democratic values.”
Enugu, Anambra Elections Mixed
In Enugu South Urban Constituency, voting failed to take place despite large voter turnout as sensitive materials were missing. Tensions rose as rival party supporters accused each other of interference.
In contrast, the Anambra South senatorial by-election was relatively peaceful, with Governor Chukwuma Soludo casting his ballot in Aguata LGA.
He commended INEC for its preparations, though he accused the APC candidate of instigating violence against the Commissioner for Environment in Nnewi South.
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