by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested one Shehu Fatange, with about N30 million allegedly earmarked for vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.
Shehu Fatange, suspected to a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, was picked up on Friday evening at a hotel in the Kaduna metropolis, where he was said to be coordinating the distribution of the funds meant to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.
Reliable security sources confirmed that the suspect was caught in possession of cash running into tens of millions, allegedly intended to compromise the integrity of the polls.
The Kaduna State Police Command also confirmed the arrest, through its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a telephone chat with our journalist, saying the suspect was in custody and under investigation.
He, however, declined to give further details, noting that security agencies were working together to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Fantage’s arrest was coming amidst rising tension and accusations of plans by political actors to manipulate the bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru, Zaria and Sabon-Gari constituencies.
Both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including PDP, ADC and SDP, had traded accusations and allegations of planned vote-buying, thuggery and attempts to compromise electoral officials, ahead the bye-elections.
As at the time of filing this report, details of the DSS operation and the exact circumstances of Fatange’s arrest remained sketchy.
However, security operatives assured that investigations were ongoing, while urging the public to remain calm and turn out peacefully to exercise their franchise on Saturday.
Nevertheless, the arrest has been variously viewed as “political vindictiveness” by opposition supporters state-wide, since the incident was reported on Saturday prior to the bye-elections.