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The 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of inducing security operatives of over N2.7million to rig the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly election in some strategic part of the state.
The Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Col Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Port Harcourt on the achievements of troops of the Division in collaboration and synergy with other security agencies in the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) which covers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States.
Speaking, Col Iliyasu stated that on Saturday, February 23, troops of the Division intercepted vehicle of State Government House joint security operatives and recovered N2.250, 000.00, money suspected to have been released to them by the state governor to allegedly bribe other security operatives to manoeuvre the election in his (governor) favour.
He also disclosed that in one of the vehicle driven by a military commandant deployed to the Government House, N500, 000.00 was recovered and four INEC Electoral tags.
He said: “The period leading to the 23 February 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections witnessed a lot of political activities and manoeuvres by political actors which is normal in a democracy, however, most worrisome and dangerous is the employment of political thugs by some desperate politicians to disrupt a legitimate national process for their pecuniary gains.
“Equally of grave concern is the daring attempt by the Governor of Rivers State Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to compromise security agencies particularly troops of 6 Division NA with hefty financial inducements to help him in his illegitimate act of thwarting a free and fair electoral process to his favour while accusing the NA and its command hierarchy of bias daily. Apparently, Governor Wike must have underestimated the NA’s commitment to being professionally responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles.
“Ironically, on Saturday February 23, 2019 at about 8:45am following a tip up on attempt by Governor Wike’s aids to induce and compromise troops deployed at the CBN Port Harcourt premises, own personnel Maj AP Ubah and 3 other Police personnel, DSP Oyoku Ifelle (Camp Comdt Rivers State Govt House), Sgt Akanu Garba, Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sgt Nketan Chucks were arrested by a team from HQ 6 Div. Preliminary investigations discovered the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty thousand Naira (N2,250,000.00) only in a Range Rover belonging to the DSP.
“Other items recovered are 4 INEC 2019 Electoral Tags, Customised Rivers State Government House brown envelopes while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000.00) only was found in the Toyota vehicle belonging to Maj AP Ubah which he confessed was given to him by the Governor’s aids in addition to offer of a well furnished accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.”
Iliyasu recalled that “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai have over time reiterated and demonstrated the NA’s resolve to being apolitical, neutral and unbiased. He has also left no one in doubt of our total and absolute loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Therefore, no amount of cheap blackmail and unsubstantiated allegations will make us bulge.
While we do not intend to join issues with any one, however, it has become expedient to bring to the notice of the general public the actual reasons behind Governor Wike’s attrition against the NA and its leadership with the hope that he will finally sheath his sword and publicly apologise to the NA.”
While the briefing which was televised live on NTA was on, the personnel paraded the state Commissioner for Urban, House of Assembly member, INEC ad hoc staff, security operatives and others for electoral violence and offenses.
Briefing on their offences, Iliyasu said “Similarly, same day Saturday February 23, 2019 at about 7:00am, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Opokri Wanaka in company of Dr Reason Onya Williams, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development visited own troops Camp at Akinima and requested to be acquainted with the Commander of the troops at the location. Hon Opokri offered the Officer some amount of money he removed from his pocket but the officer not only rejected the offer but sent the duo away.
“Incidentally, while the Officer and his men were manning a Check Point at Mbiama Bridge, a white Hilux vehicle with a Rivers State Government Reg No.L02-03RV RIVERS and 8 occupants was stopped for routine search and clearance. A carton and 2 bundles of INEC 2019 presidential Election ballot papers were discovered in the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that none of the occupants of the vehicle is an INEC staff, INEC Ad-hoc staff or security agent.
“During the course of on the spot interrogations, Hon Opokri Wanaka and Dr Reason Onya Williams earlier mentioned above appeared at the spot and tried to convince the suspecting troops that the vehicle is part of INEC convoy that was left behind and that the vehicle should be allowed to go because the electorates are waiting. When the vigilant officer refused to be convinced, Dr Reason immediately placed a call to Governor Wike and His Excellency requested to speak with the officer who declined and requested the Governor to please call the GOC. After much resistance, the officer gave Dr Reason his number to pass to Governor Wike which he did via Whatsapp message. Within 10 minutes Governor Wike placed a call to the officer.”
Our correspondent reported that suspected protested their arrest.
While the two state executive and the Assembly member, claimed that the accusation was false but mere blackmail on their personality, the security operatives said they were on their official duty before they were arrested.
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
