The by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across 12 states on Saturday were marred by widespread reports of vote buying, violence, abductions, and arrests of political actors and electoral officials.
The polls covered two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo states; five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo; and nine state assembly seats in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara. Court-ordered re-run elections also held in Anambra and Kano.
INEC Staff, PDP Officials Arrested in Ogun
In Ogun State, security operatives arrested two INEC staff and officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a hotel in Iperu-Remo with large sums of cash allegedly meant for vote buying. A viral video showed an INEC official admitting he was instructed by his supervisor to collect money from politicians.
The PDP, however, dismissed the incident as an attempt to intimidate its members. Party spokesman, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, said its arrested officer had only ₦100,000 in his possession and accused security agencies of “commando-style” harassment aimed at disenfranchising voters.
288 Suspected Thugs Nabbed in Kano
The Kano State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 288 suspected thugs during the Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies by-elections. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori said their presence, coupled with violent attacks, forced many voters to stay away from polling units.
Following the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for outright cancellation of the elections, alleging armed disruptions and voter intimidation.
PDP Candidate, 25 Supporters Abducted in Kaduna
In Kaduna, the PDP alleged that its House of Representatives candidate for Chikun/Kajuru, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, was abducted alongside 25 supporters by a joint security task force. The party accused security agencies of targeting its campaign officials after failing to arrest the PDP campaign council chairman.
Earlier, the police announced the arrest of a suspected vote buyer in Kaduna metropolis with ₦25.9 million in cash, believed to be intended for voter inducement.
Vote Buying Allegations in Oyo and Anambra
In Oyo State, ADC candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Femi Dexter Akin-Alamu, accused rival parties of large-scale vote buying, alleging that voters were openly offered money and incentives at polling stations.
Similar accusations surfaced in Anambra, where the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was alleged to have offered between ₦10,000 and ₦25,000 per vote in Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo. “There is hunger in the land; some accepted the money, others refused,” said a voter, Madam Comfort Okoye.
Tense Atmosphere Nationwide
Across the 12 states, reports of thuggery, arrests, and cash-for-vote incidents cast a shadow over the credibility of the exercise, which was meant to fill vacancies created by resignations, deaths, or court-ordered reruns.