Politics

Kaduna PDP Clarifies ₦25.9m Seized: Funds Were for Agent Welfare, Not Vote Buying

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 17th, 2025.

Kaduna PDP Clarifies ₦25.9m Seized: Funds Were for Agent Welfare, Not Vote Buying

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has addressed the controversy surrounding the ₦25.9 million confiscated from one of its members during last Saturday’s by-elections, stating that the money was allocated for the welfare and logistics of its party agents, not for vote buying.

Police officers apprehended Shehu Aliyu Patangi at a hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna, allegedly in possession of ₦25,963,000. Authorities suspected the cash was intended to sway voters during the electoral process.

Elections were held in three constituencies across the state: Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Basawa State Constituency, and Zaria/Kewaye State Constituency.

At a press briefing, Edward Masha, the PDP chairman in Kaduna, rejected the vote-buying allegation. He explained that the party deployed over 6,000 agents and coordinators across the constituencies, and the funds were meant to cover their welfare and operational needs.

“The money was strictly for election logistics,” Masha said. “With 169 polling units and hundreds of agents, supervisors, and collation officers, even providing a modest stipend of ₦3,000 each adds up to over ₦30 million.”

He described the police’s interpretation of the situation as misleading and a disservice to the public’s intelligence.

Masha also claimed that PDP members have faced continued intimidation from security forces acting under the influence of the Kaduna State Government. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state machinery to suppress the opposition.

According to him, security agents stormed the campaign office of PDP candidate Esther Ashivelli Dawaki on Friday, detaining several party members including the state publicity secretary, zonal chairman, youth and women leaders, and others.

“This is part of a broader pattern of harassment meant to destabilize our campaign and silence opposition voices,” Masha said.