Blessing Okorite, Port Harcourt
The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, has accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of inducing security operatives with over N2.7 million to manoeuvre the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.
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.
Col. Iliyasu stated that on Saturday, February 23, troops of the Division intercepted Government House vehicles and recovered N2.250,000 suspected to have been released to them by the governor to allegedly bribe other security operatives to manoeuvre the election in his (governor) favour.
He also disclosed that in one of the vehicles driven by a military commandant deployed to the Government House, N500, 000 was recovered along with 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.
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“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 aides in addition to offer of a well furnished accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.”
At the briefing, a commissioner, a member of the House of Assembly, INEC ad-hoc staff, security operatives and others were paraded for electoral violence and offenses.
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Briefing on their offences, Iliyasu said: “Similarly, same day Saturday February 23, 2019 at about 7:00am, a member of the 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.
“reliminary 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 electorate 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.”
While the two state executive and the Assembly member, claimed that the accusation was false and a blackmail on their personality, the security operatives said they were on their official duty before they were arrested.
The suspects have been officially handed over to the Rivers State Police Command.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike said the state government has written to the International Criminal Court to prosecute the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem for crimes against humanity.
Wike, in his reaction said instead of running in circles, the GOC should explain to Nigerians the reasons why the 6 Division allegedly stormed Collation Centres in Ikwerre, Emohua and Okrika Local Government Areas , where he was accused of stealing electoral materials and concocting results.
The governor stated that the GOC has the blood of Rivers people on his hands, stating that issuing false statements will not save him from prosecution.
Wike described the allegation that he tried to compromise soldiers as false, malicious and diversionary.
He said: “We are doing a petition to the International Criminal Court. We are demanding justice for all those killed by the GOC and his lieutenants.
“We will also send a petition to all the major embassies in the country on the atrocities committed against Rivers people by the GOC and his soldiers. We have also ready sent a petition to the Chief of Army Staff on the criminal actions of the GOC.”
