The governorship candidate of Action Alliance in the off-cycle governorship election in Kogi State, Olayinka Braimoh, has been arrested.
His media aide, Musa Yakubu, who confirmed the arrest to journalists, said the politician was arrested by security operatives in Kabba.
Musa revealed that the candidate and seven of his security details were nabbed after campaign materials were allegedly found in his car.
Braimoh’s media aide had earlier raised the alarm over the whereabouts of the AA candidate saying, “the last time I heard from him was in the morning when he called from Kabba town, but all attempts to get through to him since that time proved abortive,” Yakubu said.
“His mobile lines have been switched off, including those of his entourage.”
Meanwhile the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has suspended election in some parts of Kogi State.
The Commission said it received reports from its officials in the State on incidences of electoral malpractices.
According to INEC, the incident of result sheets completed before voting was a major issue leading to the decision.
The areas affected by the announcement are Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas.
INEC said that the most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.
“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted,” the Commission said in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee.
“The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended.
“The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced,” it said.
