By Sunday Ameh
A Senior Special Adviser to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Comrade Funmiso Babarinde, has defended the N4.8 million recovered by the police during a raid on the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, saying the money was meant for an empowerment programme and not vote-buying.
Babarinde made the clarification on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, while reacting to the controversy surrounding the police operation ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
He alleged that the raid took place while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to him, police operatives stormed the SSG’s residence, arrested several party members and later detained Igbalaye after he voluntarily reported to the police headquarters to inquire about the operation.
Babarinde said the police recovered N4.8 million, two voter cards, voters’ registers for Osogbo Local Government, a laptop and a printer from the residence.
He explained that the voter registers were public documents obtained from INEC and were being reproduced for party canvassers who would engage residents across the 15 wards in Osogbo Local Government ahead of the election.
He added that although some of those arrested had been released, others remained in police custody as of Thursday morning.
The governor’s aide said the Peoples Democratic Party had concluded plans to stage a peaceful protest and address a press conference to draw attention to what it described as the unfolding political situation in the state.
Babarinde maintained that possessing the voter register was not illegal, describing it as a public document released by INEC for electoral purposes.
Defending the cash recovered from the residence, he dismissed allegations of vote-buying, insisting it was set aside for an empowerment programme for party members.
He argued that N4.8 million was not an excessive amount for a government official occupying the office of the SSG and noted that empowerment programmes were routinely carried out by governments and elected officials across the country.
He also questioned claims that the cash was intended to induce voters, saying those present at the residence were party members rather than prospective voters.
Babarinde insisted that no electoral offence had been committed and accused security operatives of portraying legitimate political activities as criminal acts.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
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