Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the state government has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights and other institutions, over the atrocities the military allegedly committed during the last presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Wike also stated that allegation of monetary inducement against him by the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, was diversionary.
The governor’s reaction followed an allegation by the military, which accused him of trying to induce the soldiers with N2.7 million.
He said the state government has also petitioned the Presidency and the American Embassy, to call the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division to order.
Deputy Director, Army/ Public Relations of the division, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, had earlier disclosed this when he briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt, where he added that the military also arrested a state government official and House of Assembly member for various offences.
However, Wike briefed journalists on the matter and describing the allegation as mischievous and a clear demonstration of disrespect to constituted authority.
He said: “They have violated all known laws. The military were not supposed to be directly involved in election. Their duty was to protect people.
“In this case, they left protection of people and were killing. Let them defend what happened in Ikwerre Local Government Area, let them defend what happened in Okrika, let them defend what happened in Emohua.
“It is not to come and say the governor tried to compromise when you that have already compromised the electoral process, is telling me that I called to compromise you.
“We have written to foreign mission and the ICC, to say this is what they did.
“I know what they are plotting, thinking I will come out and there would be a shoot-out on me and they will claim it was the police that shot me.
“We are all aware. I have never seen where the military takes election personal. It has become personal to them.
“They will determine who will be and who will not be. And, unfortunately in this state, it will not work that way. No matter the number of people you kill. It will not solve the problem. They people have made up their mind where they are going to. What does it pay you to take innocent people’s life, because you want to impose somebody?”
Speaking further, governor Wike reiterated the plot by the military to cause crisis during the March 9, governorship and House of Assembly elections so that the polls would be postponed.
“Everybody has seen how Rivers state was militarized.
“They militarised Rivers state, so that somebody won’t be disgraced.
“This is what I had earlier said. Look at what they did to Abonnema people,? he asked rhetorically.
