President Muhammadu Buhari (c), and the Chief of Staff to the
President, Ibrahim Gambari (r) during a visit by the former APC
National Chairman to the Aso Villa on August 17th, 2020. Photo:
Twitter@Government of Nigeria.
The Presidency has refuted claims that a former National
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole,
and the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari has
hatched plans to arrest opposition members ahead of the Edo
Governorship poll.
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged
that a video of Oshiomhole telling Gambari about “arrest” before
his (Oshiomhole’s) meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari is a
prelude to the arrest of some unnamed opposition politicians ahead
of the September election.
However, in a statement on Tuesday night, the Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,
described the claim by the PDP as a “patchwork of mischief,”
calling on Nigerians to dispel the “misguided” message.
Oshiomhole (R) and Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari,
Ibrahim Gambari, at a State House corridor on August 17,
2020.
“It is equally a fact that various political parties campaigning
in Edo have levelled accusations of violence against one another,”
the statement said.
“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 to
protect lives and properties of citizens is mobilized thus
preventing criminal elements from subverting the democratic
process.”
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President @MBuhari received in audience
former Chairman of All Progressives Congress Comrade Adams
Oshiomole at the State House, Abuja.#AsoVillaToday
pic.twitter.com/YgIbZVne7R— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) August 17, 2020
According to him, Oshiomhole and Gambari who have a track record
of working to ensure the rights of Nigerians are protected and the
poor are not marginalized, “will not be found encouraging any
conduct that runs counter to these values.”
The presidential aide reiterated his principal’s stance on a
free and fair poll in the South-South state.
“He does not support violence of any sort and its propagators
will be brought to justice,” he added. “ELECTIONS MUST REFLECT THE
WILL OF THE PEOPLE.”
‘The Laws Are Clear’
Oshiomhole had during the meeting briefed the Nigerian leader on
the happenings in Edo State ahead of the poll, restating Buhari’s
quest for an exercise devoid of violence.
“The President is excited at the prospect of having a free and
fair election devoid of violence and the fact that the laws are
clear; when people misuse firearms, the laws are clear as to what
should be done,” the former Edo governor told reporters after the
meeting.