Zaria (Kaduna State): Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, says the recovered N25.9m by the security agencies for alleged vote-buying belongs to the opposition.
The Police Command in Kaduna State, along with other security agencies, has apprehended a suspected vote buyer ahead of Saturday’s by-elections and recovered N25.9 Million in cash.
The commissioner was briefing newsmen in Zaria on Saturday during an assessment visit for the general conduct of the bye-elections.
He said the APC was not planning to buy any votes, stressing, “what we did was to seek people’s votes and support.”
When asked about the arrest of the suspected vote buyer by the security agencies, the commissioner said the opposition was caught with the cash in the hotel, stressing that the pictures were there for everyone to see.
“Votes are not for sale; votes are meant for people to cast based on their conscience,” the commissioner said.
On the inspection of the elections, Maiyaki commended the INEC for early distribution of election materials, simultaneous voters’ accreditation and voting.
While commending the turnout of voters in most of the areas, the commissioner said,” This level of preparation by INEC and other key stakeholders for the by-elections was unprecedented.”
INEC was conducting by-elections for Zaria Kewaye and Basawa Constituencies of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The two state assembly constituencies were within the Zaria metropolis.
