Security operatives in Ogun State have arrested the Chairman of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abayomi Tella, along with other party officials and two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), staff members, as by-election began in the early hours of today.
The arrests reportedly took place at an undisclosed hotel in the Iperu-Remo area of Ikenne Local Government Area, with claims that a substantial sum of money was discovered in their possession.
A video circulating on social media on Saturday showed the arrested individuals squatting on the floor while being questioned by an unidentified male security officer.
In the footage, the interrogator alleged that intelligence reports indicated the INEC officials had been contacted by PDP operatives and handed cash, allegedly for the purpose of vote-buying during the by-election.
The security officer explained that the apprehension of the electoral staff led to the subsequent arrest of the PDP officials at the hotel.
In the same video, the male INEC officer claimed that he had been instructed by his supervisor to collect the money from the politicians.
Meanwhile, the PDP state chairman, who introduced himself in the footage as a “PDP official in Ogun State,” denied any involvement in the alleged cash-for-votes scheme, stating, “you are just showing money; I don’t know anything about it.”
Reacting to the arrests, the PDP described the incident as an attempt to intimidate party members and influence the outcome of the by-election.
The party’s Director of Media and Communications, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, stated that Tella was taken into custody around 3:30 a.m., after security operatives allegedly stormed his hotel room in what he described as a “commando-style operation.”
Bankole added that Tella had been relaxing in his hotel room with his driver and a personal aide when the security personnel arrived. He insisted that, contrary to media reports, no electoral materials or large sums of money were found in the PDP chairman’s possession.
The arrest comes amid rising political tensions as the by-election gets underway.
Observers have expressed concern about the potential impact on the electoral process, warning that confrontations between security operatives and political actors could heighten tensions among voters and party supporters.
Residents in Iperu-Remo and surrounding communities reportedly reacted with shock and apprehension, sharing their views widely on social media.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna, police also arrested a man allegedly attempting to buy votes during elections, reportedly found with ₦25 million in cash.
Authorities in both states have pledged thorough investigations, as public concern grows over electoral malpractice and the integrity of the ongoing elections.
Neither the Ogun State Police Command nor INEC has issued an official statement on Tella’s arrest, leaving questions about the immediate legal consequences and possible implications for the by-election.
Political watchers continue to monitor developments closely, emphasizing the need for transparency, fairness, and adherence to electoral laws to protect the rights of voters.