RIVERS RE-RUN BECOMING DEADLY – ARMY CHIEF CLASH WITH AMAECHI OVER SOLDIERS

Information gathered from the Defence HQ on Wednesday morning is that the chief of army staff has directed the operations unit to draft about 5,000 soldiers for the rerun elections in Rivers state on March 19, 2016. Rising Tide sources, who are staff of the Defence HQ have told our reporter that a sharp disagreement ensued this morning during a phone conversation between the COAS and RT. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, when the later demanded that soldiers from particular states should not

be posted to Rivers state for the exercise.

The COAS, we gathered, clearly told the former governor not to interfere in his duties and reminded him that he does not report to the minister. The COAS reminded the minister that he wants Rivers state secured and understands the terrain. “I have served in Rivers state, it is my second home and I understand the terrain.” He told the minister that in the army, there is no state of origin for troops, as they all worked in the interest of Nigeria.

Influential members of the APC are pressuring the army boss to send in at least 12,000 soldiers to maintain security in the state during the Saturday elections.

A similar scenario played out in the police when the Police IG pushed back pressure from Governor ElRufai, Gen. Danbazzau and Rotimi Amaechi to deploy AIG Ogunsakin to the state. The IG turned down the request of the APC stalwarts, and independently nominated a no-nonsense Cambridge educated AIG Sotonye Wakama, who hails from Rivers State.

AIG Ogunsakin is said to the favourite of APC stalwarts to take over from the current IG when he retires in a few months.

Our reporter gathered that President Mohammed Buhari has given the police and military chiefs a free hand to ensure that execute their jobs with efficiency. We also gather that the president has warned his party chieftains not to rig in his name.