The Plateau State Police Command has revealed that the arrest of the embattled Labour Party aspirant, Yohanna Margif, was not politically motivated. 

Mr Margif was whisked away by armed policemen on Thursday in Abuja. 

A family member who spoke to Peoples Gazette confirmed the arrest, but couldn’t immediately confirm the reason for the arrest. 

Though his arrest was initially tied to his refusal to relinquish his ambition to run as the party’s flag bearer, the police in the state has released a statement revealing the real reason for his arrest. 

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesman of the Plateau State police command, DSP Alfred Alabo, Mr Margif’s arrest was over allegations of alleged fraud by his business associate, E.C. Gajare. 

“Amb. Margif was criminally reported against his business associate, one E.C. Gajare who alleged that Amb. Margif issued him a dud bank cheque over a business deal they had in recent time, hence the Police invited the Amb. Margif to answer the allegation levied against him to which he confirmed to be true,” the statement said. 

Prior to the release of the statement by the police, a Jos-based political commentator, Vilret Enoch told The Gazette that Mr Margif’s arrest couldbe tied to allegations of fraud levelled against him in the past. His comment confirms the statement by the police. 

While a new candidate, Dr Patrick Dakum, has emerged as the Party’s flag bearer, Mr Margif’s running mate, Mr Jack Dung Bot told The Gazette via a text message that “ the Margif/Jack still stands firmly.”

Mr Margif has also refuted claims that he had stepped down from the race as LP’s flagbearer, per a Tribune report.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Mr Margif admitted that he was approached by some individuals to relinquish his position from the race but he declined. 

He said Mr Dakum’s emergence as his replacement came to him as a surprise, adding that the “kangaroo arrangement” was laughable and borne out of desperation.