Jimoh Ibrahim’s $1m bribery allegation is false, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the claim by Jimoh Ibrahim, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo, that an official demanded $1 million to accept his governorship nomination forms, is false.

Adedeji Soyebi, national commissioner in charge of publicity, said when Ibrahim visited the commission, Toyin Babalola, whom he accused of demanding the bribe, had called three lawyers to witness what had occurred between both of them.

“The commission hereby states, for the records, that from its preliminary investigation, nothing can be farther from the truth,” Soyebi said.

“On the first allegation, our investigation revealed that Mr. Ibrahim turned up at the INEC headquarters, Abuja unannounced, made his way to Mrs. Babalola’s office, brandished a copy of the court document and insisted that INEC should accept him as the official candidate of the PDP for the Ondo Governorship Poll.

“On sighting the unexpected guest, Mrs. Babalola called three other lawyers in her department to witness her encounter with Mr. Ibrahim and politely told him that the commission was already in possession of the court document.

“At no time during the encounter that lasted less than 15 minutes did Mrs Babalola ask for $1m. Therefore, the allegation by Mr. Ibrahim is false.”