Wike offered me billions to rig Rivers elections – Army commander

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) at the 6 division of the Nigerian Army, Jamil Sarham, has revealed that Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, offered him billions of naira to compromise the March governorship elections in the state.

Sarham spoke through a statement by Aminu Iliyasu, the division’s spokesman, adding that Wike declared war on him when he refused to accept the governor’s offer.

Recall that Wike had accused Sarham of running an oil theft ring in the state. He also accused the army chief of sending troops to assassinate him in his residence on February 15.

But in his reaction, Sarham said “Wike’s resentment against me is based on my choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered me by the Rivers state governor to compromise the 2019 general election,” the statement read.

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“My refusal to be bought over and the rejection of the hefty offer is the genesis of Wike’s hatred and vociferous criticisms of me.

“On the mischievous accusation against Maj.-Gen. Sarham of leaking proceedings of State Security Council meetings to criminals in Rivers State, Mr. Wike knows well that Maj.-Gen. Sarham is not a member of the Rivers State Security Council, neither has he ever approached the gates of Rivers State Government House, since his assumption of office as the GOC, 6 Division.

“Mr. Wike only came face-to-face with Maj.-Gen. Sarham on the 15th of January, 2019, during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to challenge Wike to provide the public with any evidence of such meetings, with Maj.-Gen. Sarham in attendance. Wike’s allegation against Maj.-Gen. Sarham’s selfish involvement in illegal oil bunkering is another reckless, spurious and mischievous accusation.

“Hence, Headquarters of 6 Division wishes to request the Rivers governor to take the most civilised way of putting up a petition to the relevant authorities, to make a point.”