The Nigerian Army has urged Nigerians to disregard the video clip in which an officer was accusing Governor Nyesom Wike is being accused of bribing the military, saying it is “old” and “dated sometime in 2019.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ikedichi Iweha, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division Nigerian Army said in a statement on Sunday morning that “members of the general public are enjoined to disregard the video which is an old video and go about their lawful businesses.”
Colonel Iweha assured the public that “6 Division Nigerian Army is poised to discharge it’s responsibilities most professionally; hence should not be dragged into election matters through whatever guise.”
The full statement reads: “6 Division Nigerian Army is compelled to urge the general public to please disregard an old video clip dated sometime in 2019 currently making the rounds on most social media platforms. This disclaimer is necessitated by the sterling roles troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army played in the recently conducted presidential election which saw to the peaceful conduct of the polls in Rivers State.
“Mischief makers having failed to lay hands on any evidence with which to discredit troops’ performance in the just concluded exercise dug up the old video, carefully edited same; selecting only a portion with the intent to drag 6 Division Nigerian Army into election matters and pitch it against it’s host state, Rivers State. This scheme has failed.
“Members of the general public are enjoined to disregard the video which is an old video and go about their lawful businesses. Members of the public are equally by this reminded to make use of the telephone numbers earlier released by the Division to report issues of security concerns as regards the general election or the conduct of 6 Division troops deployed for election duty in line with Operation SAFE CONDUCT.
“Please note that 6 Division Nigerian Army is poised to discharge its responsibilities most professionally; hence should not be dragged into election matters through whatever guise.”
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) checks reveal that the video was the product of the public spats in February 2019 between the Nigerian Army and Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State wherein the Governor was accused to attempting to bribe its officers to rig the elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Tuesday February 26, 2019, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, then of 6 Division disclosed the details of what happened when Wike and his supporters tried to bribe soldiers when caught with election materials.
He also presented the suspects and exhibits recovered from them, including parading four policemen arrested in connection with election malpractice.
Below is the full text of Colonel Iliyasu text at the Press Conference:
“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, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to compromise security agencies, particularly troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, with hefty financial inducements to help him in his illegitimate act of thwarting a free and fair electoral process in his favour, while accusing the Nigerian Army and its command hierarchy of bias daily.
“Apparently, Governor Wike must have underestimated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to being professionally responsive in the discharge of our constitutional roles.
“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has over time reiterated and demonstrated the Nigerian Army’s resolve to being apolitical, neutral and unbiased. He has also left no one in doubt of our total and absolute loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, no amount of cheap blackmail and unsubstantiated allegations will make us bulge.
“While we do not intend to join issues with any one, however, it has become expedient to bring to the notice of the general public the actual reasons behind Governor Wike’s attrition against the Nigerian Army and its leadership with the hope that he will finally sheath his sword and publicly apologise to the Nigerian Army as we present to you the following shocking discoveries.
“Gentlemen of the press, you recall that on Saturday, 15th February, 2019, the eve of the now rescheduled presidential and NASS elections, one Barrister Emma Okah issued a statement alleging that a very senior officer of this command attempted to tamper with INEC sensitive materials at the CBN Port Harcourt premises. A rejoinder was immediately issued by HQ 6 Division, which not only rebutted the allegation, but also demanded an apology from Emma Okah within 72 hours or face legal action. As at this moment, Emma Okah has arrogantly refused to heed the advice.
“Ironically, on Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 8:45am, following a tip-off on attempt by Governor Wike’s aides to induce and compromise troops deployed at the CBN Port Harcourt premises, one personnel Major A.P. Ubah and three other Police personnel, DSP Oyoku Ifelle (Camp Commandant Rivers State Govt House), Sergeant Akanu Garba , Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sergeant Nketan Chucks, were arrested by a team from HQ 6 Div.
“Preliminary investigations discovered the sum of N2.25million only in a Range Rover belonging to the DSP. Other items recovered are four INEC 2019 electoral tags, customised Rivers State Government House brown envelopes, while the sum of N500,000 only, was found in the Toyota vehicle belonging to Major A.P. Ubah, which he confessed was given to him by the Governor’s aides in addition to the offer of a well-furnished accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.
“Similarly, same day Saturday, 23rd February, 2019, at about 7am, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Honourable 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. Honourable 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 Rivers State Government Reg No. L02-03 RV RIVERS and eight occupants, was stopped for routine search and clearance. A carton and two 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, Honourable 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 the 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.”
