The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five others over alleged vote buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Police said the arrests followed a raid on the SSG’s residence in Oroki Estate, Osogbo, on Wednesday, where officers reportedly recovered Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ₦4.8 million in cash, and a register containing voters’ details.
Other items recovered include a laptop, photocopying machines, a printer, and voter registers covering multiple wards in Osogbo Local Government Area.
The police identified the other suspects as Abiodun Arowomole, also known as “Ashipa,” who is reportedly on a murder watch list, alongside Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing into allegations of vote buying, criminal conspiracy, and harboring a wanted suspect, noting the case could impact the credibility of the electoral process.
However, sources said the SSG later presented himself to the police after learning of the raid.
The Osun State Government has condemned the operation, describing it as illegal. In a statement, Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi said ward officials were meeting at the residence during the raid, while the SSG was attending an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum.
The government also alleged a pattern of targeted raids on its officials and called on security authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu, to intervene.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council said the operation validates its earlier claims of planned vote buying by the ruling party and urged security agencies to sustain investigations.
Police have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
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