By-Election: PDP Chair, INEC Officials Arrested Over Alleged Vote Buying

Police in Ogun State on Saturday arrested two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the state chairman, Abayomi Tella, along with two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for alleged involvement in vote buying during the Remo Federal Constituency by-election. The suspects were picked up in Iperu with large sums of cash believed to have been set aside to influence voters.

Authorities said the arrests took place in the early hours of the day and that those detained have already provided useful information about the alleged plan to bribe election officials and sway the outcome of the poll.

The development has sparked controversy, with the Ogun PDP insisting that Tella’s arrest was politically motivated. The opposition party alleged that he was taken from his hotel room as part of a calculated attempt to weaken the PDP and clear the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the exercise.

Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun cast his ballot at Polling Unit 002, Ward 3, Ita-Osanyin in Iperu, where he expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election. The governor praised INEC’s level of preparedness, describing the process as seamless and orderly. He also commended voters for turning out in large numbers, saying their participation demonstrated a strong commitment to civic responsibility.