Osun gov poll: Police nab SSG, 5 others over alleged vote-buying
Osun State Police Arrest Secretary to the State Government for Vote Merchandising
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Osun State Police Command has apprehended Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), along with five others for alleged involvement in vote merchandising in anticipation of the August 15 governorship election.
According to a statement from the police, the arrests occurred during a raid at Igbalaye’s residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday, where officers recovered Permanent Voter Cards and a register containing voters’ details. This discovery has raised concerns regarding potential electoral offenses.
Items seized during the operation included ₦4.8 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, photocopying machines, a printer, and voter registers from Wards one to fifteen in the Osogbo Local Government Area.
The police identified the additional suspects as Abiodun Arowomole, known as “Ashipa” and described as a wanted murder suspect; along with Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi. Authorities stated that investigations continue into allegations of vote buying, criminal conspiracy, and harboring a wanted person.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the law impartially and urged residents to remain calm and report any information that could aid in maintaining a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In a related development, it was reported that Igbalaye voluntarily presented himself to the police after learning of the raid.
The Osun State Government has condemned the police operation, deeming the raid illegal. In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi noted that ward officials were meeting at the residence during the raid while the SSG attended a stakeholders’ forum organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The government also alleged that a day earlier, police had raided the home of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, causing damage to property. Officials called for the intervention of traditional leaders, the police, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu, alleging that these actions target top government officials and members of the Accord Party in Osun State.
In contrast, the campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) issued a statement claiming that the raid validates allegations regarding the ruling party’s manipulation of the electoral process. Spokesperson Remi Omowaye congratulated the police on their operation and urged them to continue thorough investigations wherever necessary, emphasizing that no individual is above the law.
