Election: Army accuses Gov. Wike of trying to bribe GOC

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Nigerian army has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of making attempt to bribe the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham, to compromise the ongoing polls. The state government has however, denied the accusation, saying the military was rather trying to divert attention from the “atrocities they are committing in Rivers State because of the elections”.
The army in a statement issued on Saturday by its acting Spokesperson, Sagir Musa alleged that, “It is indeed no secret to the military authorities that Governor Wike has on various occasions made attempts to compromise the integrity of the GOC 6 Division, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham.
“Having failed, despite series of overtures and monetary pledges of millions of dollars, both in person and from cronies, it is no surprise that the frustrated Governor has resorted to this appalling campaign of calumny.”
Musa’s statement was in response to an allegation by Governor on Thursday that the army attempted to assassinate him.
“The Nigerian Army does not train assassins, as such the institution or her personnel cannot be involved in sending assassins to murder a state governor as alleged by Gov Nyesom Wike,” the statement added.
The army which insisted that it was neutral in the nation’s elections, challenged the Governor to prove his allegations against it within seven days or “he could as well, save face and keep his peace”.
In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah, said on Sunday, that the army’s allegation was “mere blackmail to cover the evil perpetrated by soldiers in the state.”