Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has condemned the alleged arrest of the Director-General, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Dr Cletus Tyokyaa by the EFCC for having N100000 on him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tyokyaa was arrested on his way to his polling unit to cast his vote in the morning.
Ortom stated this on Saturday while interacting with newsmen after casting his vote at the Tse Ortom polling unit in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
“It is a shame to arrest someone with only N100, 000 on him. This is not right.
“I am telling the EFCC to release him because he was not buying votes,” Ortom said.
He stated that if they refused to release him, it would mean that they are detractors and paid agents.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving the electoral process.
The governor urged INEC to ensure that there was transparency, fairness, and equity in the conduct of elections.
He said that a time would come in Nigeria when elections would be free of litigations.
The governor said that accreditation and voting were done simultaneously, and it made the process faster than in the past.
He commended the electorate for conducting themselves in an orderly manner, adding that they heeded to his warning, that of the Tor Tiv, as well as the Och’Idoma.
“I am happy that they have obeyed. With the warning, they saw the need to be peaceful,” he said.
The Principal Special Assistant to Ortom on Special Duties, Mr Abraham Kwaghngu, who also voted at the polling unit, commended the voter turnout.
