The Police on Saturday arrested a total of nine suspects who allegedly engaged in vote-buying and other offences during the governorship elections in Edo state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued on Saturday said while eight of the people arrested were engaged in one form of vote-buying or the other, one person was arrested for posing as a fake journalist during the polls.
He said that the fake journalist claimed to be a staff of a leading television station in Nigeria.
According to Adejobi, two out of the nine suspects – Emotingham Godspower and Farawei Isaac – are key members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The PDP members, the police said, are connected to two kingpins popularly known as “Atiku” and “The Boss” in the state.
1. Emotingham Godspower (25)
2. Farawei Isaac (27), both from the Ufunama community, Ovia South West LGA, Edo State.
3. Suleiman Abdurahim
4. Yusuf Aminat (52 years)
5. Salihu Lukman (54 years)
6. Safianu Saratu (32 years)
7. Fatima Yakubu
Suspects number 3 to 7 were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu Hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.
They were arrested carrying a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.