By Godwin Anene
The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused soldiers from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army of attempting to assassinate him ahead of Saturday polls.
Col Aminu Iliyasu, Spokesman to the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, when contacted, however said the army will respond to the scathing allegations at the appropriate time
Wike, following a meeting with representatives of the Bristish High Commission among those of other foreign missions claimed, “Last night (Thursday), the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham plotted an assassination on my life. Thank God, it 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 cordone off my private residence. Yesterday, I was shocked when I left Government House to see some political leaders, soldiers trailing me. I don’t have military security details.
“Along Abacha Road, to my surprise, I heard my security men shouting that the soldiers were behind us. I have said severally about the GOC of the 6 Division that nobody should kill because he was promised the position of Chief of Army Staff “.
The governor further accused the military of supplying fake uniforms to militants hired by a rival party for the purpose of disrupting the elections and unleashing mayhem, just as he also alleged that the Army has started arresting PDP leaders in Eleme and other Local Government Areas of the state with 182 persons penciled down for arrest.
Political Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Louis Edwards, said they were in Rivers to observe the Elections, expressing hope for a peaceful Elections in the state following assurances of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oboh Effanga.
