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DSS Arrests Suspected Vote-Buyer During Ondo Governorship Election
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected vote-buyer during the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State.
According to reports, the individual was caught with two bags of cash, allegedly intended to sway voters at the polling station.
The arrest took place at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, situated outside St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure.
It occurred around 9:00 am, just as voters began trooping in to exercise their civic duty.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the suspect’s activities had drawn suspicion before the DSS operatives intervened and took him into custody.
Vote-buying, a practice that undermines free and fair elections, has been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s electoral process, and the arrest underscores the determination of security agencies to clamp down on such illegal acts.
Authorities are yet to disclose further details about the suspect or the exact amount of money recovered.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has already cast his vote at Polling Unit 6, Ward 4, located in Obenla, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and faces stiff competition from 16 other candidates representing various political parties.
Among his main challengers is Agboola Ajayi, a seasoned politician contesting under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ajayi, who has served in different political capacities, including as deputy governor, is a prominent figure in the state and is known for his grassroots support.
As the day progresses, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters of a transparent process.
Observers from local and international organizations have also been stationed across polling units to monitor proceedings.
Security agencies have intensified efforts to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy toward electoral malpractices.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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