Viral video: Presidency denies plan to arrest opposition leaders in Edo

The Presidency, on Tuesday night, dismissed the trending video on the alleged plot to arrest opposition elements in Edo State ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship election as “the patch work of mischief makers”.

A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, while reacting, said the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and the former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who were discussing in the short video clip, have a history and track record of working to protect the rights of Nigerians and humanity.

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Shehu said the duo would, therefore, not be found encouraging any conduct that ran counter to those values which they were guiding jealousy.

He said: “It is very important to strongly dispel misguided messaging amongst commentators, rights activists, advocates and journalists, who have been reacting to a trending short video clip, alleging that the Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and Chief Adams Oshiomhole, the former All Progressives Congress, APC chairman, had hatched a plan to arrest opposition individuals ahead of the September election in Edo State.

“Firstly, it is important to state that the video was an ingenious patchwork of mischief, extracted from an innocent conversation focused on the emerging incidents of violence in the run up to the election.

“It is equally a fact that various political parties campaigning in Edo have levelled accusations of violence against one another.

“In such a heightened state of uncertainty, responsible leadership, must ensure that elections are conducted in a peaceful manner and if warranted, judicious use of law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property of citizens is mobilized thus preventing criminal elements from subverting the democratic process.

“This message has consistently been repeated by Mr. President.

“He does not support violence of any sort and its propagators will be brought to justice.

“Elections must reflect the will of the people.

“Equally important is that the persons in the video, Professor Gambari and Comrade Oshiomhole have a history and track record of working to protect the rights of Nigerians and humanity of all walks of life, especially the poor and marginalized; and as such will not be found encouraging any conduct that runs counter to these values.”