The Nigerian Army on Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State paraded 30 suspect, including a serving Commissioner, lawmaker in the Rivers House of Assembly and a Major in the army over an alleged plan by Governor Nyesom Wike to use them to comprise members of the Nigerian Army in last Saturday’s Presidential election.
Also paraded was Wike’s Camp Commandant, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, in Government House.
The Army Public Relations Office,r 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Colonel Iliyasu Aminu, who paraded the suspects to Journalists on a live television said there was a daring attempt by 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 army and its command hierarchy of bias daily.
He stated that the army, in close collaboration and synergy with all other security agencies in the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) which covers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States and its commitment and loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria resolved to be neutral and apolitical, but was underestimated by Wike.
He said “on Saturday, 23rd February, 2019 at about 8:45 am following a tip of
Colonel Iliyasu revealed that Preliminary investigations led to the discovery of N2.25 million 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 500,000 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.
“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.”
According to the spokesman, on-the-spot interrogations, Wanaka and Williams revealed that they allegedly tried
to convince the troops that the vehicle was part of INEC’s convoy that was left behind and that the vehicle should be allowed to go because the electorates
“However, 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 Onya Willams his number to pass to Governor Wike which he did via Whatsapp message. Within 10 minutes Governor Wike placed a call to the officer.
“The recorded audio voice telephone conversation alleged to be that of Governor Wike was played over and over for Journalists. The bundles of money found on the camp Commandant and the Major AP Uba were display before the Journalists,” he said.
