The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 143 suspected electoral mercenaries in Ikire, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The lawmaker, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested on Friday night during a police operation at his residence, where more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were reportedly recovered.
In a video released by the police, Inaolaji identified himself and allegedly admitted to facilitating the movement of the suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states ahead of the election.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects were brought into the state from Ondo State to participate in alleged unlawful electoral activities.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that an unidentified politician recruited them, helped obtain voters’ cards for them and promised them financial rewards in exchange for voting.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the arrest and said investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest other suspects allegedly involved in the operation.
The command said the investigation would also determine the extent of the alleged network involving voter inducement, recruitment of electoral mercenaries and other electoral offences.
