Leaked tape: Trouble for Wike as INEC uncovers strong evidence

Leaked tape: Trouble for Wike as INEC uncovers strong evidence

- INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu says it curious that Etche which witnessed high level of irregularities in the legislative rerun election was mentioned in Governor Wike’s alleged audio recording

- The INEC boss says the tape provides a useful clue to what transpired in Etche

- Professor Yakubu warns that any INEC staff found to have disobeyed clear rules and regulations will be appropriately sanctioned

INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said the commission is yet to make an official comment about the allegation against Wike.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has reacted to release of an audio tape which contains recording of Governor Nyesom Wike allegedly threatening to kill an INEC official for not doing his bidding during the December 10 rerun of elections in the state.

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Speaking with The Interview Magazine, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said it was curious that Etche which witnessed high level of irregularities in the legislative rerun election was mentioned in the audio recording.

Though the INEC boss said the commission was yet to make an official comment about the allegation against Wike, he said the tape provides a useful clue to what transpired there Etche.

He said: “We have no immediate comment on the Wike tape. It is part of the comprehensive investigation we’re carrying out. It is, however, curious that Etche was mentioned in the tape.

“It is the Local Government that witnessed such massive disruption that we couldn’t declare winners in the 1Federal Constituency (Etche/Omuma) and 1 State Constituency (Etche II) for which reason we’re going back to the LGA early next year. The tape provides a useful clue to what transpired there

Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the commission was investigating some INEC staff for various infractions ranging from absence from their duty posts to partisanship in the discharge of their duties among others.

READ ALSO: REVEALED! Wike's collaborators in leaked audio scandal

He assured Nigerians that the commission is instituting an administrative inquiry as part of a comprehensive review of the Rivers re-run elections.

Yakubu said any INEC staff that is found to have disobeyed clear rules and regulations will be appropriately sanctioned.

In a related development, Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state have handed over to the police the alleged audio tape of Wike allegedly threatening to kill an INEC official.

The members of the party who were led Honourable Asita to the police on Friday, December 16, are calling for the police authorities to investigate Wike for alleged electoral fraud.

But Wike in response has said he will not assist the police in the ongoing investigation on electoral fraud carried out during the rerun legislative election in the state.

The Governor said his decision was based on the negligence of the Police High Command, whom he accused of deliberately ignoring the alarm raised by the state government.

Governor Wike also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to release result of Rivers South-East to ascertain the winner of the election.