The inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris has reportedly ordered the immediate arrest of the media aide of former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida. The Nation reports that the IGP ordered that Kassim Afegbua be arrested if he fails to turn himself in to the police within 24 hours.
It was gathered that Afegbua is wanted by the police for “issuing a fake press statement to the public.” A source within the government, who does not want to be named, confirmed that the IGP had ordered Afegbua’s arrest within 24 hours. It was reported that Afegbua in a purported statement quoted the former military ruler as saying President Muhammadu Buhari should not seek reelection. Babangida was quoted as saying:
“In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country. While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running.”
Not long after the statement surfaced online, the former president denied it and issued another one which he personally signed. He called on Nigerians to disregard the earlier statement issued by Afegbua, his media aide. However, Afegbua has insisted that he had the permission of Babangida to issue the statement credited to him.