Presidential election: Army parades, lawmaker, 28 others for electoral malpractices

Admin l Saturday, March 01, 2019

PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – The long-running face-off between Governor Nyesom Wike and authorities at the 6 Division, Nigeria Army is getting increasingly murkier with the army alleging it has proof that the Rivers state governor tried to bribe an army officer over Saturday’s February 23, Presidential and National Assembly elections.

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Authorities of the 6 Division said its proof include a recorded phone conversation Wike allegedly had with an army officer following arrest of Member Representing Ahoada West in Rivers State House of Assembly, Opokri Wanaka and the state Commissioner for Urban Development, Dr Reason Onya Williams for suspected electoral fraud. The Army arrested a total 30 people, including two women.

The Camp Commander of the Rivers State Government House, DSP Oyoku Ifelle, and three security details in government house, Sgt Akanu Garba, Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sgt Nketan Chucks, were also paraded at the Python Dance Officers’ Mess. An Army Major, A P Ubah, was also arrested for allegedly trying to bride military guards at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch where electoral materials were kept for distribution ahead of the elections.

All key suspects however denied any wrongdoing, describing the development as a drama being orchestrated by the army to smear the person of Governor Wike over its lost confidence in the conduct of security operatives in Rivers.

Deputy Director Public Relations, 6 Division, Col Aminu Illiasu, who paraded the suspects among several other persons said, “Saturday 23 February 2019 at about 8:45, following a tip off on attempt by 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 were arrested by a 6 Div Team.

“Preliminary investigations exposed Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty thousand Naira 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 Five Hundred Thousand Naira 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.”

Illiasu stated: “Same day at about 7:00 am, a member of Rivers Assembly, Opokri Wanaka in company of Dr Reason Onya Williams, State Commissioner for Urban Development visited own troops Camp at Akinima and requested to be acquainted with the Commander. Opokri offered the officer some 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 Checkpoint at Mbiama Bridge, a white Hilux vehicle with 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 on the spot interrogations, Wanaka and Dr Reason 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 Wike which he did via Whatsapp message. Within 10 minutes Governor Wike placed a call to the officer.”

Drama started at the Python Dance Officers Mess in 6 Division as Dr. Reason and Hon. Wanaka snapped at the point of being paraded, just as the Army Major and the Government House Police details also faulted the army on their arrests.

The lawmaker, Wanaka, however, denied the allegations. “We did no wrong. I was at Ahoada West, my Constituency when I was arrested. If something happens to my constituent, I reserve the right to find out. We did no wrong. Our arrest and those of many persons including said
INEC officials is sheer drama to blackmail Governor Wike.”

The Camp Commander of the Rivers State Government House bemoaned, “How can they be parading official guns allocated to us as exhibit. We are not suspects. This is just blackmail. In my line of duty, I attend to welfare of security personnel drafted to work in the Government House. There is nothing criminal in money found with me. I didn’t bribe anybody.”