The Department of State Services (DSS) has yesterday night struck a major blow against electoral malpractice in Kaduna, arresting a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fatange, with a staggering ₦30 million in cash allegedly earmarked for vote-buying in today’s bye-elections.
Fatange was apprehended Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna metropolis, where he was reportedly coordinating the illicit distribution of funds to sway voters in the keenly contested Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency poll.
According to impeccable security sources, the suspect was caught red-handed with the cash, which investigators believe was intended to compromise the integrity of the elections and tilt the outcome in favour of his party.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the arrest. Its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the suspect was in custody and under investigation, stressing that security agencies were working hand-in-hand to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The dramatic bust comes amid rising political tension, with rival parties trading accusations of desperate plans to deploy vote-buying and thuggery to manipulate the bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru, Zaria and Sabon-Gari constituencies.
While details of the sting remain under wraps, the DSS and police assured that investigations are ongoing. They urged voters to remain calm, resist inducements, and troop out peacefully to exercise their franchise today.
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