GOC 6 Division should explain involvement in the snatching of Electoral Materials and abduction of INEC Staff--Wike

Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has stated that the State Government has written to the International Criminal  Court to prosecute the General Officer Commanding ( GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem for prosecution for crimes against humanity. 

Governor Wike said instead of running in circles, the  GOC should explain to Nigerians the reasons why the 6 Division stormed collation Centres  in Ikwerre,  Emohua and Okrika Local Government Areas  with INEC Electoral Officers,  accusing him of stealing electoral materials  and concocting results. 

The Governor  stated that the General Officer Commanding 6 Division  has the blood of Rivers people on his hands, stating that issuing false statements  will not save the GOC from prosecution. 

Speaking during a media briefing in response  to the false allegations  by the 6 Division  that he tried to compromise  soldiers of the 6 Division, Governor  Wike described the allegation as false,  malicious and  diversionary .

He said: "We are doing a petition to the International Criminal Court.  We are demanding  justice for all those killed by the GOC and his lieutenants. 

"We will also send a petition to all the major embassies in the country  on the atrocities  committed  against  Rivers people by the GOC and his soldiers.  We have also ready sent a petition  to the Chief of Army Staff  on the criminal  actions of the GOC".

Governor Wike stated that he has credible intelligence  that the GOC has concluded plans to open fire on his convoy, with the objective of causing a deadly shoot-out. 

"Nigerians watched in utter dismay as three Local Government  Electoral Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) indicted soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army  for orchestrating electoral violence, snatching election materials and criminally  colluding with APC leaders to concoct results during  the Presidential and National Assembly elections.  Rather  than respond to these allegations, the GOC  is making  diversionary allegations. 

"These weighty indictments of the officers and men of the 6 Division  of the Nigerian Army by the INEC Officials confirm earlier intelligence that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Major General Jamil Sarham is neck deep  in the killings of Rivers people and manipulation  of the elections. Mrs Mary Efeture Imawuya INEC  Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA, INEC  Electoral Officer for Emohua Local Government Area, Kenneth Etah and INEC Electoral Officer of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Leo Okon who addressed the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre at Elekahia were unequivocal  in their indictments  of the soldiers and their criminal activities during the elections", he said. 

"The major problem  they should defend is the INEC Officers who declared that the soldiers of the Nigerian Army abducted them , carted away materials and concocted results", he added. 

The governor noted that it was the soldiers and the Minister of Transportation,  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who abducted the the Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA and compelled her to write results. 

Governor Wike denied ever making an attempt to compromise  the electoral process . He denied ever offering money to the Soldiers to act illegally. 

He noted that when the soldiers arrested  the Rivers State Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning,  Dr Reason Onya for being among the approved PDP agents to escort materials,  the Commissioner called him.  He noted that he requested to speak with the Officer  to demand the release of Onya who was on legal electoral function for the PDP. He said the officer  who declined  talking called back later and he informed him that Onya was on a legal assignment.  He noted that no bribe was offered. 

Governor Wike said in his capacity  as Governor,  he spoke with about 10 different officers when PDP official agents raised concerns.

The Governor said that the mischievous press briefing by the 6 Division  is tantamount  to a coup against a constituted authority. "The Army cannot be a judge in their matter. You cannot parade officials on legal Electoral duties. You cannot change the narrative.  They have violated  all known laws".