The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has described as a “heap of rubbish” the allegation that he was arrested by security agencies for illegal possession of firearms.
He said he was neither arrested nor caught with firearms as being reported in some quarters.
The deputy governor issued the clarification in a Friday statement by his spokesman, Benjamin Atu in Benin City.
Shaibu claimed that APC candidate in Saturday’s gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and former APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole were behind the rumour of his arrest.
He further claimed that the duo were plotting to orchestrate his arrest on the eve of the gubernatorial election to pave way for their plots to rig the election.
“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.
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“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.”