Army, Suspected Electoral Offenders Trade Words In Rivers At Army Press Briefing

A press briefing organised by the 6 Division of the Nigerian
Army in Port Harcourt turned tumultuous on Tuesday as suspects
brought for parade protested and accused the military of framing
them.

The press briefing addressed by the army spokesperson for the 6
Division, Aminu Iliyasu, targeted Rivers State Governor, Nyesom
Wike, whom the army accused of compromising security agents and
masterminding violence to gain advantage in the elections.

“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,” said Mt Iliyasu.

“Apparently, Governor Wike must have underestimated the NA’s
commitment to being professionally responsive in the discharge of
our constitutional roles.”

Among those paraded were four security agents, including one
army officer AP Ubah, a major, and four other police personnel,
Oyoku Ifelle (Camp Commandant Rivers State Govt House), Akanu
Garba, Hycent Oboi and Nketan Chucks. They were allegedly caught
with rifles, INEC tags, N2.2 million and a customised Rivers
Government House brown envelop containing N500 thousand.

The major, Mr Ubah, was said to have confessed to receiving the
N500,000 from a Governor’s aide and being promised well-furnished
accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.

But the four policemen protested as they were paraded. They said
the INEC tags found on them were those issued to accredited
security operatives working during the elections.

“How can you arrest police officers with guns and call them
exhibit/” One of them queried. “You should call police to identify
their rifles.”

But the briefing became more chaotic when Rivers State
Commissioner for Urban Development Reason Onya, a state lawmaker
Lokpobiri Wanaka, and two INEC ad hoc staff were brought forward to
be paraded. They refused to stand before the ballot papers the army
said were exhibits and shouted down army spokesperson Mr Iliyasu to
force through their point to the press.

Mr Iliyasu said Mr Onya and Lokpobiri had appeared at a troops
base in Akinima to induce an officer last Saturday morning before
elections open that day.

He continued, “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.”

The recording of the alleged conversation between Mr Wike and
the army officer was played, with the governor appearing to seek
cooperation of the officer.

The third batch of suspects said to be thugs rounded up during
the elections were brought with their legs chained. They also
protested and were asked to be taken back as Mr Iliyasu could not
continue.

The build up to the elections had seen tension peak in Rivers
State as the army and Mr Wike engaged in accusations.