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Tag: Wike

  • I did not sponsor protest against FG , Wike insists

    I did not sponsor protest against FG , Wike insists

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says he did not sponsor anyone to protest against the Federal Government, He added that those who planned to protest in his favour must have taken a cue from those who protested against him in Abuja. Wike stated this when he granted audience to the Rivers State Elders Council of Ministers (RISECOM), in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    “If they like, let them bring all manner of accusations daily, it will not cow me. Three days ago, they sponsored protests against me in Abuja with the police leading the protesters. “It is so unfortunate how they can descend so low. The DSS is unhappy because I stopped them from kidnapping a judge.

    Till today, they are yet to invite that particular judge,” he said. Wike asked, assuming people want to protest, are we not in a democracy? If I am the one who is the sponsor of the planned protest in my favour, who sponsored the protests against me? “It means they are the people who sponsored the protests”, he contended. Wike assured the Christian leaders that he remained committed to the development of the state and the welfare of its people.

    He said no level of intimidation or blackmail from federal agencies would scare him into selling out the state to external forces. He said this was a turbulent period but that the state would overcome the challenges because he could not be cowed. He urged Rivers people not to panic “because nobody can take the state by force despite sustained blackmail by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS). “None of them gave me the mandate.

    The people of Rivers state gave me this mandate and I will never sell the interest of this state for whatever reason. “I will not bring out the money of Rivers to sponsor other people outside the state”, he said. Wike told the Christian leaders that security agencies were frustrating the security architecture of the state to further their plot to declare a state of emergency and thereafter bring a lackey to loot the state.

    Leader of RISECOM, Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Rev Ignatius Kattey commended the governor for his developmental strides in the state. Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev Agwu urged the governor to stand firm despite the persecution.

  • Alleged treason: Wike, DSS clash

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Senate President Bukola Saraki’s Special Adviser on Youth Matters, Ikenga Ugochinyere, planned to cause chaos in Abuja, the Department of State Services (DSS) has alleged.

    In a statement issued by its spokesman Tony Opuiyo on Tuesday evening, DSS said hoodlums, including three arrested youths and some organisations, were mobilised to ensure bloodletting capable of generating international reactions.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the general public that it has uncovered a sinister plot by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to disrupt machinery of governance in strategic Federal Government agencies by provoking a violent breach of peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, today, 22nd December, 2016 and beyond, especially at this Yuletide season.

    “To achieve this, the Governor has secured the services of one Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a personal aide to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki (Sen), to mobilise some hoodlums to execute their plan. The aim of the plot is to cause mayhem, a complete breakdown of law and order and cast the security agencies and the Federal Government in bad light.

    “It is also intended to divert public and international attention from the ongoing Police investigation into the unwholesome role played by the governor and some of his cronies in the violence that trailed the re-run election in Rivers State which resulted in the gruesome murder of civilians, including the beheading of DSP Mohammed Alkali and some of his colleagues as well as the brutalisation of INEC staff who failed to do the bidding of the Governor,” the DSS stated.

    According to the security agency, there is an international dimension to the “treasonable” agenda as those arrested have been found with banners and posters meant to be used by a hired crowd of unemployed youth to galvanise hate against government agencies.

    “In furtherance of this plot, protesters are to besiege the National Human Rights Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Assembly, the Nigerian Army and Police Headquarters as well as British High Commission, US Embassy and the UN Secretariat, Abuja; all in an effort to raise false alarm that Rivers State was under siege of security agencies during the elections.

    “While the obvious aim is to draw public sympathy and international attention to spurious allegations of involvement of Federal agencies in violence during the last elections in Rivers State, the actual objective is really to trigger a round of violent actions against the government and create opportunity for idlers to join the deceitful protest.

    “Part of the orchestration is to provoke the security agencies and prompt them to take action against the protesters that could result in bloodletting. It is in this line that Ikenga had gone to the outskirts of Abuja to mobilise unemployed youths to carry out his bidding – all this was to be done for a fee and resources to be provided from the treasury of the Rivers State Government.

    “It is also worrisome that Ikenga would engage in this nefarious plot when, after his last arrest earlier this year by the Service, he had pledged to be law abiding and not to cause a breach of the peace.

    “Though Ikenga is now at large, the trio of Emeka Idibia, Ugo Apuamagha and Ejike Nwachukwu have been arrested and are helping with further investigations; these men were picked up at the mobilisation venue trying to perfect the logistics for this unholy enterprise.

    “The young men were hired by Ikenga to take custody of items and materials for the planned violent protest.  The recovered items include banners, placards and posters with denigrating, inciting and hate inscriptions meant to impinge the authority of the Federal Government and further subvert the entire machinery of governance in the country.

    “In order to make this look credible, Ikenga and his cohorts had adopted such groups as Lawyers in Defence of Democracy (LDD) and Citizens for Good Governance (CGG) as cover to supposedly make them look like serious minded civil rights groups and thus bring them into collision course with security agencies.

    “Investigations have so far revealed that while Ikenga is the field organiser and coordinator of the planned protest, Governor Wike is his sole financial sponsor.

    “The DSS is disturbed that the governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, will stoop so low to hire thugs and hoodlums to attack the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and create an atmosphere of chaos and disorder at this yuletide season.

    “Accordingly, the Service wishes to clearly state that it, and in fact other security agencies, will not be cowed, or by any means allow any person or group of persons, no matter how highly placed to subvert Nigeria’s statutory institutions meant to protect critical installations and law abiding citizens.

    “In this regard, the Service also states in unequivocal terms that no amount of intimidation, grandstanding or outright manipulation of facts will be allowed to stop it and other agencies from conducting their duties as constitutionally mandated or concluding investigations into the Rivers State electoral violence.

    “Finally, the Service wishes to restate its commitment to the protection of life and property in the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general; consequently, it advises youths to resist the temptation of being lured by desperate politicians to undermine the government or engage in acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

    “It calls on all Abuja residents to go about their normal businesses as the Service is committed to ensuring that the full wrath of the law is brought against persons or group of persons who may threaten the peace and stability of the country,” the DSS stated.

  • Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    Rivers: 15-man panel to probe Wike, others

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, Damien Okoro to head a 15-man panel tasked with the responsibility of investigating the alleged audio recording of Governor Nyesom Wike and other violence witnessed  during the rerun election.
    The panel include intelligence, investigative and forensic experts from the police and the Department of the Security Service (DSS).
    Highlighting the terms of reference of the panel, the IGP said: “You are to conduct a thorough investigation into the role of security agents before, during and after the election; examine the role of any police officer or security agents, whose actions or activities individually or collectively affected the conduct of the election.
    “Conduct a forensic analysis on the audio report by Sahara Reporters against Governor Wike as it concerns the election; examine any other matter that is relevant to the conduct of the elections and make recommendations and implementation strategies to guide future elections”.
    The panel, which started work on the 17th of December  has 30 days to work and submit its finding‎s.
    Meanwhile, the IGP tasked the panel to consult all relevant stakeholders, including the Rivers state government, citizens, CSOs and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) while carrying out its function.
  • Wike raises panel of enquiry on rerun

    Wike raises panel of enquiry on rerun

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has constituted a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate killings, violence and related matters during the December 10 rerun and supplementary elections.

    A statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, said a government announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Kenneth Kobani, named those in the commission.

    It will be chaired by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu; members are Mrs Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie, Prof O. Okene, Anthony Ozurumba, Rev. Hossanna Nnaewi, Mr C. B. Ekeh, and Mr Alphonso Sibi.

    Its terms of reference include: “To investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violence during the December 10 rerun/supplementary elections in Rivers State.

    “Identify perpetrators of the various acts of violence and killings in the elections and identify victims of the violence, including those killed.”

    ‘’To identify if property was damaged and the value of any such property, as well as determine if the violence was localised to specific areas within the state or was statewide, among others.

    The panel has one month to submit its findings.

    Also, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election Dr. Dakuku Peterside has condemned Wike’s  judicial commission of enquiry.

    Peterside, who is the director-general of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday faulted the governor’s “kangaroo” judicial commission of enquiry.

    The APC chieftain described it as childish, adding that Wike had no shame, as he continued to ridicule his office.

    He said: “Are there no people telling the Rivers governor the truth? Here is a governor who told Rivers people not to attend an investigative panel set up by police to probe issues surrounding the elections and a leaked audio tape that went viral, where the governor threatened INEC officials with death.

    “Is it not laughable that the same Rivers governor has now set up a judicial commission of enquiry to probe issues surrounding the elections and he expects Rivers people to obey him? What manner of a governor is Wike?

    “How can a responsible governor be urging Rivers people to be lawless? How can such a governor call Rivers people not to obey police investigation and yet expects the same people to obey his own kangaroo judicial commission?

    “The same Wike accused the police of seeking to achieve a pre-determined goal in their investigation to nail PDP members. What goal is the Rivers governor seeking to achieve with his judicial commission of enquiry? To exonerate PDP members and pronounce APC members guilty?”

    Peterside also said Wike remained an accused in the matter and could not set up an investigative panel.

    The APC chieftain described Wike’s action as dead on arrival.

    He said: “I call on the Justice Chinwendu Nwogu-led judicial commission of enquiry to be careful not to be used by Wike to achieve a dubious end. We recall the Omereji Panel and what the Rivers governor wanted to use it to achieve. In the end, his evil plan failed.

    “Justice Nwogu was, only last month, made a judge by Wike. I hope he is not being used to do the bidding of the Rivers governor and the PDP. My admonition to the judge is that he should know that posterity awaits him, if he allows himself to be used by the Rivers governor.”

    According  to Wike’s announcement, members of the judicial commission of enquiry are: Mrs. Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie, Prof. O. V. C. Okene, Sir Anthony Uzoma Ozurumba, Rev. Canon Hossanna Nnaewi, Alphonso Sibi (Chief State Counsel, Secretary) and C. B. Ekeh (Principal  State Counsel, Legal Counsel).

  • Alleged threat to kill INEC workers: Wike must submit to probe, says APC

    Alleged threat to kill INEC workers: Wike must submit to probe, says APC

    RIVERS State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Davies Ikanya has said Governor Nyesom Wike must submit himself to the probe panel inaugurated in Abuja last week by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.
    The panel is probing the governor’s alleged threat to kill officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who might decline to rig the December 10 rerun for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, after collecting bribes from him.
    The APC chairman called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Aniedi Ikoiwak, for allegedly colluding with Wike and PDP to rig the legislative rerun in the three senatorial districts.
    Ikanya, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, noted that if PDP had not rigged in the 23 local governments, APC candidates would have won the rerun.
    Wike, a lawyer, was allegedly caught on audio tape, saying: “Tell the electoral officers in Etche and Khana local government areas to return my money or I will kill them. I will make sure that they will not leave Rivers State. I understand that both of them are from Plateau State. I will kill them, if they do not return my money.”
    The governor held a victory thanksgiving mass of PDP at Our Lady Chaplaincy of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) in Port Harcourt, for a “successful” rerun.
    He said the government and residents would not be party to a police “phoney” probe panel.
    Wike said the police could not deliberately kill Rivers residents and investigate the same matter.
    The governor also said “the phoney probe” of the rerun had a predetermined goal, which he alleged would be to indict PDP members and prepare their politically-motivated prosecution.
    Ikanya said: “With this latest revelation (through the rigging audio tape), we have been vindicated that Wike is the most bloodthirsty governor in Nigeria. If not checked, he will surely derail our democracy. Who knows how many Rivers State people Wike and his PDP hoodlums would have killed, if not for the police and other security agencies?
    “Wike must submit himself to the police probe panel to assist the police to unearth and end the killings in Rivers State. Wike has the habit of setting up funny probe panels. He should not be afraid to submit himself to a probe panel that will assist to restore the sanctity of lives in our dear state, unless he is indirectly accepting the fact that he has a hand in most of the political killings in Rivers State.
    “Having watched the outbursts of Wike before, during and after the December 10 rerun, we have come to the conclusion that Wike is nothing but a comical tyrant and blackmailer who needs to be reined in before he derails our hard-won renascent democracy.
    “Wike has not ceased to accuse the Army, Department of State Services (DSS), police, INEC and APC leadership of collaborating to cause havoc during the elections, while he caused the killings, snatching of electoral materials and fake announcement of induced INEC results.
    “If APC was accused of working with the police to force INEC to rig the rerun, why was a police officer, DSP Mohammed Alkali, brutally beheaded with his orderly, on the same spot where PDP hoodlums killed other security agents at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State? Why are PDP candidates being declared as winners in most of the results released by INEC?
    “Today, under Wike’s watch, Rivers State has degenerated into a miasma, where lives have become solitary, nasty, brutish and short and the sanctity of the human lives is not paid the attention it ought to get, under the purposeless PDP-led government.”
    “We wish to counsel the organisations that are collecting money from Wike to give him awards for a non-existing achievement, to rather give the Rivers governor an award as the most brutal and bloodied governor in Nigeria; for turning Rivers State into Rivers of blood, as that will be better understood by the international community than celebrating a fellow who has brought nothing but shame to Rivers State and its people.”
    The Rivers APC chairman also insisted that INEC and its officials in Rivers State performed below expectations during the rerun.
    He said: “With the revelation of the unholy partnership between Wike and Ikoiwak to deny a large chunk of the Rivers electorate a voice during the rerun elections, we hereby demand the immediate redeployment of this enemy of democracy. Ikoiwak had the audacity to announce PDP’s George Sekibo as a Senator (Rivers East), without adding votes from three LGAs of Etche, Emohua and Ikwerre, which would have made APC’s Chief Andrew Uchendu the winner.
    “We wish to ask Sekibo, Osinakachukwu Ideozu (of Rivers West Senatorial District) and their likes in the PDP not to celebrate their fake victories. We will not allow killers of our people to lead us, but we will use every constitutional means at our disposal to retrieve the mandate given to our candidates by the voters.”
    Ikanya hailed the unusual courage displayed by the Ogoni, who he said did not only vote overwhelmingly for APC’s candidates but also defended their votes.
    This, he said, led to the emergence of Senator Magnus Abe as winner of Rivers Southeast senatorial district, among other APC winners.

  • Wike writes off police probe of Rivers poll violence

    Wike writes off police probe of Rivers poll violence

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has written off the police probe of the violence during the Rivers rerun legislative elections.

    He accused the police of being behind the killing and the violence saying they lack the moral authority to undertake a probe.

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris last week announced that the police would probe the pockets of violence during the elections in which a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and his orderly were beheaded, among other violent activities.

    But speaking at the Victory Thanksgiving Mass organised by the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) at Our Lady Chaplaincy of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, for “a successful rerun/supplementary elections,” Wike said:  “We are not a party to their so-called panel.  We have passed that stage and we cannot fall into the trap of a panel of inquiry. After killing our people, you want us to assist you unravel what? It is the police that killed our people.”

    “If it is a country that believes in its image, so many people  would have  lost their jobs. They cannot ask themselves  why 28,000 policemen, yet to be ascertained  number of soldiers, Police  Dogs and  Horses, gunboats and helicopters  could  not police  ordinary  legislative elections.

    “It is because the police were the ones committing the fraud, violence  and election  materials snatching.  We are accusing the police of mass murder and  they turn  around to set up  a panel  of  inquiry.

    “After killing our people, you fraudulently set a panel of inquiry.  Up till now they don’t know that we are far ahead. This panel is a mere booby trap to indict PDP Members.  If they cared about lives, they wouldn’t do what they did .

    “We are here to thank God for the victory he has given Rivers State.  We came out from a battle and God was our leader during the fight. We owe God a lot”, he said.

    In his sermon, Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii said the coalition of forces would l never defeat Rivers State.

    The thanksgiving service was attended by PDP leaders, Senators, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members and Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

  • Rivers: IGP set up panel to investigate ‘Wike’s audio’, 70 incidents

     The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim  Idris  has set up a team of detectives and experts to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents of electoral malpractices during the recent election in Rivers State  highlighted by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission ( INEC).
    The team is expected to unravel those who are directly or indirectly responsible for the incidences and bring them to justice.
    The INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmud had mentioned in a statement that  there were 70  incidents that derailed the legislative  election that took place in Rivers State last week.
    A statement in Abuja on Saturday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, stated that the investigative team is also mandated to conduct forensic analysis on the audio report released by Sahara Reporters purportedly to be the voice of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
    According to the statement: “The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, in response to the statement credited to the INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmud to the effect that there were 70 incidents that tended to derail the 10th December, 2016 re-run elections in Rivers State has set up a team of detectives and experts to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents mentioned by the INEC chairman with a view to unraveling those who directly or indirectly are responsible for such incidences and bring them to justice.
    “The investigative team is also mandated to conduct forensic analysis on the audio report released by Sahara Reporters purportedly to be the voice of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike (CON) pertaining to the concluded elections”.
    The police have also urged the government of Rivers State and INEC to avail the team available facts.
     “The Government of Rivers State and INEC are enjoined to avail the investigative team with facts at their disposal and grant them the desired cooperation and assistance to achieve a comprehensive and conclusive investigation.
    “The election observers, civil society groups, Human Rights watchers and other stakeholders are equally called upon to assist the team with valuable information they may have.
     The investigative team which will be headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police has 30 days to complete the investigation and submit report.
    The police also promised that findings from the investigation will be made public.
    The Police Force also noted that it committed to enthroning the principles of democratic policing and ensuring that the IGPs master plan on election security takes hold in Nigeria in accordance with international best practices and core value of Policing with integrity.
  • Wike denies link with tape

    Wike denies link with tape

    RIVERS State governor, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike yesterday described the audio tape portraying him to be admitting to bribing some electoral officials and threatening to kill them as cover up for the atrocities the All Progressives Congress (APC) committed during the December 10 rerun election.

    Wike, who spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt, expressed surprise about the source of the allegation as he rhetorically asked: “Did they say I spoke to electoral officers or a third party? You see, when you look at certain, thing you will laugh. Tell me, so that I will know where to answer.

    Who can tell me where I spoke with the electoral officer. What did I say? I never said anything. “This is just a cover up for the atrocities they committed and as far as I’m concerned, no electoral officer will say I spoke to him or her. When I heard that my media people have reacted on the issue, I said they shouldn’t have bordered themselves because I know Sahara Reporters very well.

    When I was the Chief of Staff, there was nothing they did say about me.” Wike stated that what he saw during the legislative rerun election was enough to tell Nigerians that there would not be free and fair election in 2019 election. He said: “It is very clear that there will be no election in 2019.

    If they could invade the state for ordinary legislative rerun election aided by the security agencies, and even the Independence Electoral Commission (INEC), then Nigerians should forget about anything credible in 2019 election. The implication is that anybody who refuses to accept to align with their manipulation will die before or on the election day.

    On why he led some of his supporters on peaceful protest to the state police command, Wike said the protest was not just for the PDP but for the people of the state who were tired of the killing of innocent people in the state by the police and other security operatives.

    He noted that the people and government of the state were particularly dissatisfied with the recklessness of two senior policemen: the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr Akin Fakorede who he alleged to have led the sponsored onslaught against the people.

    “We demand that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) Akin Fakorede must leave the state. “The role of the security personnel in this election has made me to say I will not support them again. If they need support, they should go to NDDC.

    I’m not the Federal Government. Since they cannot protect Rivers people, we cannot support them anymore with Rivers money.” When contacted, the Rivers State Police Public Relations, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Omoni Nnamdi simply said: “ The governor led a protest to our command and DC Cyril Okoro addressed them and promised to channel their message to the appropriate quarters.”

  • Wike seeks transfer of two police officers

    Wike seeks transfer of two police officers

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike took to the streets yesterday. He, accompanied by a crowd of supporters, were protesting alleged killing of his people by the  police and other security agencies.

    The peaceful protest march, which took off from the Government House in Port Harcourt at 8am, moved through Azikiwe Street and Bank Road before terminating at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters on Moscow Road.

    Aside Wike, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker Dabo Adams, former Transport Minister Abiye Sekibo, former United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman Ferdinand Alabrabra, former deputy governor Tele Ikuru and Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Felix Obuah, joined the march.

    Also on the march, were commissioners, state legislators and local government areas’ caretaker committee chairmen.

    Wike and the other protesters were addressed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Cyril Okoro. He spoke to the protesters through the gate of the Command headquarters.

    Addressing the Police, Wike said the people of Rivers State were at the command to inform the authorities that they were tired of the alleged killing of innocent people in the state by the police and other security operatives.

    He noted that  the people and government of the state  were dissatisfied  with the recklessness  of  two senior Policemen, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso  and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr Akin Fakorede, who he alleged  sponsored onslaught  against  the people and compromised  the security architecture of the state.

    Wike said: “On behalf of the Rivers State Government and the good people of the state, we have to let the police know that enough is enough.

    “We demand that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Akin Fakorede must leave the state.

    “Since you don’t want to protect the state and you want to be politicians, you have gotten the votes you want to get, you have also gotten the seats you want to get, you can now leave the state.”

    Wike went on: “If they don’t leave the state, then we will do all we can to ensure they leave this state. They must leave this state. They have killed innocent people.

    “We have come here peacefully, communicate this to your superiors in Abuja. I cannot write again, since I have done that repeatedly.  Please, I don’t want my people to die anymore.  I don’t want armed robbers posted as senior police officers to Rivers State”.

    Okoro assured the governor that the Rivers State Police Command would pass the message to the police high command for necessary action.

  • Rivers APC, Wike bicker over alleged N4b donation

    Rivers APC, Wike bicker over alleged N4b donation

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Nyesom Wike are at loggerheads over an allegation that four Northern governors gave the party N1 billion each for the December 10 legislative rerun.

    The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, described the N4 billion allegation and others as the figment of Wike’s “wild” imagination.

    The governor, in a broadcast, accused governors of Bauchi, Benue, Kano and Plateau states of bankrolling the rerun with N1 billion each, at a time they could not pay the salaries of civil servants, let alone embark on projects.

    Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also said the rerun was brazenly manoeuvred with federal might to undeservedly return some unnamed candidates at all costs.

    But the APC said: “The accusations by Wike in his broadcast are mere figments of his wild imagination. No APC governor donated any money for the rerun in Rivers State. The APC governors merely showed up (during last week’s mega rally in Port Harcourt) to show solidarity with party members and candidates.

    “APC governors do not behave like their PDP colleagues. The obsession with federal might by Wike stems from his use of federal might to rig himself to power in 2015. The APC has nothing to do with that.

    “Wike should exorcise the spirit of what he did in 2015 so that he will be free from his present hallucination around federal might, which is not in use today, unlike what was done during the last PDP federal administration. The Rivers governor can continue to waste our commonwealth on media propaganda, which will lead him nowhere.

    “The rerun is over. We will follow up in our oversight monitoring of all the projects he campaigned with, in the name of flag-off, soon. The scales will fall off the eyes of Rivers people and they will see through the governor’s scam.”

    In his broadcast, Wike thanked Rivers residents for their enthusiasm and participation in the rerun.

    The governor expressed appreciation to them for their courage and determination to defend their votes and ensure that they exercised their democratic rights to freely elect their representatives for the state and national assemblies.

    The Rivers governor claimed that he knew that most people of the state were clearly unhappy with the outcome of the rerun.

    He said: “They (Federal Government) ignored us, when we drew their attention to the persistent abuse of public office by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Operations and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and the threat they posed to the peaceful conduct of the rerun.

    “They accused us of raising unnecessary alarms when we cried aloud over their devilish plans to use the federally-controlled SARS to disenfranchise our people and manipulate the rerun towards achieving some pre-arranged outcomes against the will of the people.

    “Today, we have clearly and eloquently been vindicated. Despite the unprecedented deployment of over 28,000 police personnel, three helicopters and 20 gunboats for the rerun, we all witnessed how the police officers and their gang of marauders took direct and complete control of the election process from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District as well as in Ikwerre, Emouha and Port Harcourt local government areas. They left unimaginable trails of mayhem, shootings, maiming and killing of innocent people.

    “Indeed, never in our history have Rivers people been so physically, mentally and psychologically brutalised, traumatised and denied their rights to freely and fairly elect our leaders by shameless gangs of hired, power-drunk, trigger-happy and irresponsible security officers and their political collaborators…”