The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other individuals over allegations of vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to a statement issued by the police, the arrests followed a raid on the SSG’s residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday. During the operation, officers reportedly recovered several Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voter registers, cash, and other items believed to be linked to alleged electoral offences.
The police said items recovered from the residence included ₦4.8 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, photocopying machines, a printer, and voter registers covering Wards 1 to 15 in Osogbo Local Government Area.
The command also identified the other suspects as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who was described as a wanted murder suspect, alongside Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi.
Police authorities said investigations are ongoing into allegations bordering on vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The command noted that the case has serious implications for the integrity of the electoral process and the administration of justice.
It assured residents that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias, while urging members of the public to remain peaceful and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in ensuring a free, fair, and credible governorship election.
Sources, however, indicated that Igbalaye later presented himself at the police command after learning about the raid on his residence.
Reacting to the development, the Osun State Government condemned the police operation, describing the raid as unlawful.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government said ward officials were holding a meeting at the residence when the operation took place, while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The government further alleged that security operatives had, a day earlier, raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, claiming that the building was searched and several properties were damaged.
It appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, President Bola Tinubu, traditional rulers, and other relevant authorities to intervene, alleging that top government officials and members of the Accord Party were being deliberately targeted.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council welcomed the police action, describing it as confirmation of its long-standing concerns over alleged plans to manipulate the election through vote-buying.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Remi Omowaye, the council commended the Nigeria Police Force for the operation and urged security agencies to sustain investigations into all allegations of electoral malpractice and other criminal activities.
The APC maintained that no individual should be above the law and called for a thorough investigation to safeguard the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
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