As political tension heightens ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Comrade Funmiso Babarinde, has defended the N4.8 million recovered from the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, insisting the money was earmarked for an empowerment programme and not for vote buying.
Babarinde made the clarification on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, while reacting to the controversy surrounding the police raid on the SSG’s residence.
According to him, the operation was carried out while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where political parties and electoral officials gathered ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
He alleged that operatives of the Osun State Police Command stormed the residence during the meeting and arrested several party canvassers from Osogbo Local Government who were present at the house.
Babarinde disclosed that upon receiving news of the raid, the SSG voluntarily drove to the police headquarters to seek clarification and facilitate the release of those arrested but was himself detained on arrival.
He further revealed that police recovered N4.8 million cash, voter registers for the 15 wards in Osogbo Local Government, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a laptop and a printer during the operation.
According to him, the voter registers were publicly available documents obtained from INEC and were being reproduced for party canvassers to aid grassroots mobilisation and voter education across the local government.
He maintained that there was nothing unlawful about possessing or printing copies of the register, describing it as a public electoral document accessible to political parties.
The governor’s aide dismissed allegations that the recovered cash was intended for vote buying, insisting the funds were meant for an empowerment programme for party supporters.
He argued that government officials across different levels regularly organise empowerment initiatives and questioned why such activities should suddenly be criminalised.
Babarinde also rejected claims that the gathering at the SSG’s residence was connected to vote buying, noting that those present were party members and canvassers rather than voters being induced.
According to him, it was normal for the SSG, being the political leader of his local government, to host meetings with party faithful ahead of an election.
He disclosed that although some of those arrested had been released, others remained in police custody as of Thursday morning.
The aide added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had concluded plans to stage a peaceful protest and address a press conference to draw public attention to what it described as the harassment of its members.
Babarinde insisted that no electoral offence had been committed and accused security operatives of portraying legitimate political mobilisation as criminal activity.
The controversy comes amid growing political tension in Osun State as parties intensify campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
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