GOC after my life, Wike alleges
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, are at loggerheads over Wike’s claim that the GOC attempted to assassinate him in Port Harcourt.
Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had earlier abused and accused the GOC of working with the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig today’s elections in Rivers State, in a press statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, alleged that he survived the assassination plot on Thursday night.
Maj.-Gen. Sarham, last night, through 6 Division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, described Wike as a liar and blackmailer.
In Nwakaudu’s press statement, he said Rivers governor survived the assassination attempt on his life, after soldiers allegedly sent by the GOC confronted his security detail, while also alerting Nigerians that the military was supplying fake uniforms to militants hired by the APC for the purpose of disrupting the elections and unleashing mayhem.
The media aide stated that his boss spoke after a meeting with officials of the British High Commission at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, while accusing Maj.-Gen. Sarham of taking very unprofessional measures to silence PDP members.
Wike, according to his media aide, had informed the British High Commission and other foreign missions of the anti-democratic actions of the security forces, especially the Nigerian Army.
Rivers governor said: “Last night (February 21), the GOC, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army plotted an assassination on my life. Thank God, that was not successful.
“On Friday, 15th of January, a day to the 16th of February, the first date for the elections, before it was rescheduled, the GOC sent soldiers to cordon off my private residence.
“Yesterday (February 21), I was shocked that when I left Government House (Port Harcourt) to see some political leaders, soldiers were trailing me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not have military security detail.
“Along Abacha Road (Government Reservation Area, Port Harcourt), where you have Algate Hotel, to my surprise, I heard my security men shouting that the soldiers were behind us. I have said this many times about the GOC of the 6 Division that nobody should kill because he was promised the position of Chief of Army Staff.
“The GOC can be promoted as Chief of Army Staff, without killing anyone. There is no need to kill innocent people for a personal ambition. Rivers State is strategically positioned in Nigeria and should not be destabilised for political goals.
“Rivers State is so important to this country. The economy of Nigeria cannot survive without Rivers State. By what they are doing, they are scaring investors away.”
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Wike also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to speak with top officials of the Nigerian Army to reduce their level of partisanship and alleged illegal activities, ahead of the general elections.
He alleged: “The GOC held a meeting with the soldiers yesterday (on Thursday) and he said they must do everything they can to ensure that President Buhari wins. That is not good. Allow Nigerians to support whoever they want to support.”
Rivers governor also stated that there was no reason for any fight in the state and according to him, APC would not be fielding candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in the state.
He claimed that soldiers had started arresting PDP members in Eleme and other local government areas of Rivers, alleging that 182 persons had been penciled down for arrest by the army.
Wike decried the alleged supply of military uniforms to APC militants, which he claimed would have post elections negative consequences.
The Political Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Louis Edwards, had earlier stated that they were in the state to observe the elections.
Edwards disclosed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers, Mr. Obo Effanga, assured her that things would work well, saying she was looking forward to peaceful elections in the Niger Delta state.
The 6 Division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, however, said: “It is clear that the political atmosphere in our country has reached its crescendo, with political actors outwitting one another. Most worrisome is the activities of some politicians who find pleasure in maligning the Nigerian Army.
“Ordinarily, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, as a respected institution, would not take issues with any politician or political organisation, as the Nigerian Army has over time reiterated and demonstrated its apolitical posture and professional responsibility, in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s constant directive.
“However, in the light of irresponsible utterances, through politically-motivated allegations against the 6 Division in the last one week, compel the division to warn mischief makers to steer clear of the Nigerian Army
“Available intelligence report has it that a series of planned campaigns of calumny against the 6 Division and its leadership are being perfected. 6 Division expects more from these detractors. The Nigerian Army, through the 6 Division, wishes to reiterate its determination to ensure the conduct of a secure, peaceful and credible 2019 general elections.”
Col. Iliyasu also stated that the division and its personnel were committed to having a professionally responsive Nigerian army, in the discharge of their constitutional roles.
The spokesman enjoined the electorate to avoid actions that could create chaos and insecurity during and after the elections, while urging members of the public in 6 Division’s Area of Responsibility (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States in the Niger Delta) to always report suspicious actions or movements to the division, through: 09027771482, 07055554967, 09069799721 and 08180690553.
