ABEOKUTA: Security operatives on Saturday reportedly arrested the Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Abayomi Tella, alongside some party members and two electoral officials.
They were alleged to have been in possession of large sums of money suspected to be meant for vote-buying during the ongoing bye-election.
The suspects were apprehended at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, and a video showing them being interrogated by unidentified security personnel has since circulated on social media.
In the viral clip, the electoral officials — a man and a woman — as well as PDP members, were seen seated on the floor while being questioned.
The interrogator alleged that intelligence reports revealed that the electoral officials had been compromised and given cash by PDP leaders in exchange for manipulating the voting process.
During questioning, the male electoral staff admitted he had been directed by his supervisor to collect money from the politicians.
However, Tella, who introduced himself in the video, denied any involvement, saying: “You are just showing money; I don’t know anything about it.”
The PDP, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the arrest was politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its State Director of Media and Communications, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, the party said Tella was picked up at about 3:30am in what it described as a “commando-style raid” at K Oil Hotel, Iperu-Remo.
Bankole maintained that the state chairman was in his room with his driver and aide when security agents whisked him away.
He further clarified that contrary to reports, no sensitive election material or huge cash was found in Tella’s possession, adding that the only money in his room amounted to ₦100,000.
“This arrest is clearly a plot to intimidate our members and disenfranchise voters. It is unfortunate and shameful that such tactics are being deployed in a democratic process,” the statement read.
The party also distanced Tella from the arrested INEC staff, stressing that it was “impossible” for him to share a hotel room with electoral officials.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed the arrests but said the matter was still under investigation.
“We are investigating the incident. That is all I can say for now. Please, call back later in the day for more details,” the CP told reporters.
