'APC tried to assassinate me five times', Gov alleges

The Rivers State commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam -George, has alleged that State Governor, Nyesom Wike, survived five assassination attempts in eleven months.

Tam-George disclosed this through a press statement issued to Pulse.

The commissioner described as callous and insensitive, recent denials by the Police that the Governor's life was at risk.

Wike has been engaged in a running battle at the center with his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Elections in the oil rich State have always bordered on violence and mayhem.

According to Tam-George, "It is no secret that the APC government declared war on the government and people of Rivers State, soon after the party lost the governorship litigation at the Supreme Court in 2016".

ALSO READ: Rivers police commissioner has been ordered to kill me – Governor alleges

The commissioner added that the first attempt to kill the Governor was made immediately after the Supreme Court verdict which affirmed Wike's election.

Tam-George said the Governor's Chief Security Officer was removed without any explanation, and that the six police officers dismissed by the Police in January this year, played a key role in foiling the series of attempts to kill Wike.

The commissioner further disclosed that after several attempts to assassinate Wike had failed, an offer of one hundred and fifty million Naira was made to two of the six dismissed police officers, to directly kill the Governor.

He said the officers declined the offer.

"We call on the Interpol and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to lead an independent inquiry into why those gallant and patriotic officers were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, on spurious charges of misconduct", Tam- George said.

The commissioner further alleged that as part of its preparations to seize Rivers State in the 2019 elections, the APC government at the center was already considering a range of measures against Wike and some key leaders in Rivers state.