Security agents in Ogun State have arrested a politician and two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged plans to buy votes during the ongoing by-election.
The arrests were made at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, located in Ikenne Local Government Area, on Saturday. A viral video on social media shows the suspects a male and a female believed to be INEC staff alongside political party agents, squatting while being questioned by a security operative.
The officer in the video claimed that intelligence reports revealed that the INEC officials were given a large amount of money by politicians from a major party, allegedly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to influence the outcome of the election through vote buying.
The security operatives moved in swiftly, acting on the tip-off, and arrested the suspects before any alleged bribery could take place.
The Ogun by-election is being held to fill a vacant legislative seat. Authorities have continued to warn against electoral malpractice and vote buying, which remain persistent challenges in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to officially comment on the arrest.
