News

Edo: Deputy gov raises alarm over arrest by fed govt

Shiomhole and Shaibu

…Accusses former APC chair of complicity…

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Deputy Governor of Edo State Comrade Philip Shaibu has debunked the news making the rounds that he has been arrested by the Department of State Security Agency.

He said there is nothing like that at the moment,even though he is aware that Adams Oshemole All Progressives Congress (APC) former national chairman, is plotting to use federal security agencies to intimidate him and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki.

The deputy governor who is also the running mate of the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the September 19 goverorship election spoke through his spokesman, Benjamin Atu, made this known on friday.

The statement clarified that it is untrue that he was caught with illegal arms.

Atu noted: “The Deputy Governor has not been arrested but we are aware of an ongoing plan to arrest him over unfounded lies so that Oshiomhole and his cohorts will have the freedom to rig the Edo North Senatorial district election.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has kicked against rigging of the election in Edo State, promising to congratulate whoever emerges as the winner.

“But Adams Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu (APC candidate) who felt betrayed by the President’s statement decided to use the back door to arrest the Deputy Governor in the name of illegal possession of arms.

“It is a lie from the pit of hell and a heap of rubbish to mention the name of the Deputy Governor in such a mundane practice of democracy”

“Comrade Philip Shaibu has been in active politics since Nigeria returned to Democracy in 1999 and has never been linked to the issue of an arms deal. In less than 24 hours to the Edo State Governorship election, is it today that Oshiomhole now wants to organize an arrest?

“I want to assure that Comrade Philip Shaibu can’t be arrested because the People of Edo State will resist it. Oshiomhole is planning to create unrest in the State on election day by his attempt to use the DSS to arrest the Deputy Governor.

“We are calling on President Buhari and the International community to immediately prevail and call Oshiomhole and his thugs to order to avert unrest that may follow their actions,” the statement reads.