* As Oshiomhole absolves APC
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) have arrested at least three suspected vote buyers in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.
Reports said the suspects were arrested at Iyamho – Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s constituency – in Egor Local Government Area.
EFCC officials left the location with three suspects – two males and a female.
But some residents kicked against the arrest, insisting that the suspects were being victimized.
The commission, prior to the election, had warned political parties against vote buying.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Frank Mbah, had also disclosed that the police are working with the operatives of the EFCC to arrest vote buyers.
DIG Mbah warned that the police would crack down on printers of fake tags during the election, vowing that security agencies would ensure everybody is safe throughout the exercise.
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has denied allegations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was involved in vote-buying.
Oshiomhole made the denial when he spoke to journalists after casting his ballot at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01.
The former governor described it was laughable for the opposition to make false allegations against the APC.
He said: “It is laughable when I hear this kind of allegation. Did you see anywhere they are sharing money?
“People turned out in large numbers to vote for us because they wanted good government. During our campaign, people came out to see me not because I wanted to give them something but because of what I have done for them while I was in the office as the governor.
“All structures that I have put in place 12, 13 years ago are still there but the ones put up by the present administration, in one year, they are washed off.
“So our people have seen the difference. Some people do tell me that since I left the government, they haven’t seen the real presence of government in their communities,” he added.