Hon. Chinyere Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has been detained for allegedly purchasing votes, according to the Rivers State Police Command.
SP Grace Iringe Koko, the command’s public relations officer, said in a statement that the politician who is running for reelection was taken into custody with $498,100 in cash.
A list for allocating the funds was also found, according to the police. Igwe backs Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate.
She said that the state’s AIG for elections, Abutu Yaro, had directed an immediate investigation and prosecution of the member.
The police also encouraged members of the pubic to give vital information to the police.
Vote buying has been a major challenge in Nigeria’s elections. Anti-graft agencies have vowed to crack down on politicians seeking to induce voters during the 2023 elections.
