Edo 2020: Presidency Explains Video Of Oshiomhole With Buhari’s CoS Talking About ‘Arrest’

The presidency has reacted to a viral video of Adams Oshiomhole and President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, discussing plans to “arrest” and “deal with” some unnamed persons.

Oshiomhole, who is the former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was alleged to be seeking Gambari’s consent to get opposition politicians arrested ahead of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had expressed worry that Oshiomhole and Gambari were plotting to, “clamp down on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve political suppression and submission ahead of the Edo election,” while also noting that the video may be an, “extension of discussions that must have held behind closed doors in the Presidential villa.”

But reacting on Tuesday, Buhari’s senior media assistant, Garba Shehu, described the narratives ascribed to the video as “the patch work of mischief makers”.

Shehu admitted that the duo of Oshiomhole and Gambari were indeed discussing how to arrest persons found instigating violence in the Edo election, but said the discussion was an innocent one.

“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,” Daily Trust quoted Shehu to have said.

“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,” the presidential aide said.