Governor Wike’s Assassination Claim Is Cheap Blackmail – Nigerian Army Reacts

Governor Wike’s Assassination Claim Is Cheap Blackmail – Nigerian Army Reacts

The Nigerian Army has responded to the claim by the Rivers State
governor, Nyesom Wike, that soldiers from the 6 Division attempted to
assassinate him on Thursday, February 21, 2019.  

In a statement, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col.
Aminu Iliyasu described the allegation by Governor Wike as “lies and
cheap blackmail against the 6 Division, Nigerian Army”.  

Governor Wike had told journalists after a meeting with officials of
the British High Commission who visited him at the government house in
Port Harcourt, that he was trailed by soldiers from 6 Division, Nigerian
Army, while on his way to see some people.

See the full statement below,…

The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to respond to the bogus and
unsubstantiated allegations being peddled by the Governor of Rivers
State, Mr Nyesom Wike. Some of his rancorous claims were that the
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham
purportedly sent troops to cordon off his residence prior to the
rescheduled General Elections on the 15th of February 2019.The Governor
further went on to allege an assassination attempt on his life which he
claimed was orchestrated by the GOC 6 Division.

The NA is appalled that a Governor who should epitomize leadership
and good example in all senses could descend so low to employ smear
campaign against the person of a GOC whose only responsibility amongst
other things, – is about the safety and security of lives and properties
in his Area of Responsibility.

The NA 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.

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. Having failed, despites 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. One would have thought that the
resolute and uncompromising stance of Maj Gen Jamil Sarham in the face
of several kinds of mouth-watering inducements would have earned him a
commendation from any conscientious leader. Alas, this was not the case
from the embittered governor of Rivers State but rather, these
slanderous allegations.

Despite these unsubstantiated ramblings however, the NA has deemed it
fit to clear the air by letting Governor Wike and the general public at
large, know that it would not be dragged into any form of political
gerrymandering concocted for the furtherance of any person’s interest or
notoriety.

As a noble institution, the NA is apolitical, neutral and would not
compromise its constitutional roles under any guise. Additionally, the
NA would like to give Governor Wike the benefit of doubt, to within 7
days, bring forth evidence that can substantiate the bogus claims, or he
could as well, save face and keep his peace.