Gov Wike Opens up on Death Threat Audio Clip

Gov Wike Opens up on Death Threat Audio Clip

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has cleared the air on his role in blocking the arrest of a judge in the state by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the recent incriminating audio clip in the wake of the legislative rerun election in the state.

Addressing journalists at the Government House Port Harcourt, Wike, who has had several run-ins with security operatives over perceived bias, said he was only performing his duty as the number one citizen in the state when he prevented DSS officials from whisking a judge away in the middle of the night.

“People say there is a high rate of kidnapping in Rivers state… If someone sends you a text message to say there is problem, that her house had been surrounded by some men putting on black,” he began.

“You call the director of Department of State Services (DSS), he didn’t pick. You call the commissioner of police, he didn’t pick, you will be forced to go and see what is happening. I took my security to the place and asked them what they were doing at the place at 1:30am? They said they had orders from above to arrest a judge, and that was a woman.

“Assuming they took her away or kidnapped and killed her, people would have said Rivers is not safe. Do you know the effect that would have had on us? I took oath to protect life and property, it doesn’t matter who.”

He debunked claims the judge is a personal friend, saying though everyone must account for their actions, due process must be followed, YNaija writes.

On the viral audio clip where someone alleged to be him is heard issuing death threats to compromised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wike maintained his earlier stand that it was the handiwork of his detractors.

“Have I not said it before that if you come to Rivers to rig you should prepare your will? Have I not said it? So what is it about threatening to kill electoral officials?” he said.

“Who is the INEC official that I spoke with? They claimed I gave the official money and was asking him where he is from? How can I be asking someone I gave money where he is from?

“What is all this crap? Let them produce video evidence; we have been able to show video of policemen rigging election. What have they done about it?

“The only person I can even speak to as far as INEC is concerned is the resident electoral commissioner (INEC) or the national commissioner, and that’s if I have any report. There were over 2000 ad hoc staff during the election, so which one did I talk to? Which one did I not talk to? Please discard those thoughts.”

Meanwhile, the police have commenced forensic investigation of the said audio clip to ascertain the real identity of the culprit.

The inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris has also set up a special panel to investigate allegations made by INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood that 70 different incidents occurred that could have scuttled the conduct of the Rivers rerun election. According to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Don Awunah, “the investigation is with a view to unravelling those who directly or indirectly are responsible for such incidences and bring them to justice.”