Kaduna Bye-Elections: PDP Says Seized N30m Was Logistics Fund

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Edward Marshal, has dismissed as “baseless” the allegation that cash traced to a PDP campaign official on the eve of Saturday’s bye‑election was meant for vote‑buying, insisting the funds were logistics for accredited party agents.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, Marshal said the opposition party would not “trade its name for illegality,” stressing that the PDP in the state was anchored on integrity, equity, justice and accountability.

“Our goal as a party is to pursue equity, justice and service to humanity. Above all, we ensure good governance and accountability at all costs. That is why, in everything we do, we follow due process and respect the Constitution,” he said

The WHISTLER reports that security operatives in the early hours on Saturday arrested a suspected vote-buyer with over ₦25.9 million cash, allegedly meant to compromise the bye-elections taking place in parts of the state.

Spokesman of the Kaduna Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying a total of ₦25,963,000 was recovered from the suspect.

The money, he said, was believed to have been earmarked for inducing voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election.

However, according to the chairman, the cash reportedly seized by security operatives, was legitimate logistics for the party’s field personnel during the bye-election in the state.

“When they picked up our members, they also confiscated money meant for our agents’ allowances and operations on election day.

“We have structures across 169 wards, with polling agents, collation officers and supervisors statewide. If you pay each person an allowance—say ₦33,000—the total runs into tens of millions. That is the money they claimed was for vote‑buying,” he said.

He faulted what he called shifting narratives around the raid, saying “earlier, they told the world they had intelligence that ballot papers were in our possession.”

“When that failed, they turned around to say the money seized was for vote‑buying—money found in our office, not at any polling unit. It is unfortunate if the police will compromise to this level.”

The chairman also accused security agencies of attempting to cripple the PDP’s mobilisation on the eve of the poll, claiming a coordinated operation targeted the party’s campaign leadership.

“Just last night, security agencies trailed the chairman of our campaign council to arrest him and make him incommunicado.

“When they did not find him, they ransacked every nook and cranny of the campaign office,” he added..

He said several senior party figures were arrested, including “the campaign secretary, the zonal chairman, the state PRO, the youth leader, a member of the House of Assembly, former and serving women leaders,” along with other officials.

“About 25 of our members, including staff of the campaign chairman, were picked up,” he added.

Marshal described the actions as intimidation.

“Why the desperation?” he asked. “If the government believes it has performed creditably, it does not need to harass anyone. Citizens will vote for it of their own accord. These commando tactics show the people of Kaduna State do not need them.”

Marshal also referenced the peace accord signed by parties before the vote, saying he initially withheld his signature until he received clarifications on security guarantees and fair play.

“How do you guarantee peaceful conduct after the election when flaws are deliberately created?” he asked.

“We sought assurances that the rules would not be bent to frustrate the opposition.”

The party chairman said PDP followed its internal processes for the bye‑election, including congresses, delegate selection and primaries.

He claimed the PDP is confident of victory in a free and fair contest. “In a credible election, PDP will have the day,” he said. “Irrespective of any plan to compromise security agencies, PDP will win this election, insha Allah.”

Kaduna Bye-Elections: PDP Says Seized N30m Was Logistics Fund is first published on The Whistler Newspaper