FLASHBACK: Wike Offered Me Billions To Compromise 2019 Rivers Gov Election – General Jamil Sarham
- Nigeria News
- 22.09.2025
- No Comment
- 44
In a resurfaced controversy, Major General Jamil Sarham, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, has accused Nyesom Wike, then Governor of Rivers State and now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), of attempting to bribe him with billions of naira to compromise the 2019 Rivers State governorship election.
Wike’s Allegations Against Sarham
Wike, speaking recently on Channels Television’s Politics Today, revealed that during his tenure as governor a top army officer allegedly ordered him to be shot. He claimed that General Sarham directed a colonel to shoot him while he was still in office.
According to Wike, the colonel refused to obey the order and was subsequently detained for six months by General Sarham. Wike said:
“General Sarham ordered that I should be shot. That is why when I heard that he is in the NSA’s office I refused to go there again. It is not APC I am supporting, I am supporting Bola Tinubu. General Sarham ordered as a sitting governor I should be shot. The colonel refused and he detained the colonel for 6 months.”
The former governor also accused Sarham of masterminding a massive oil theft operation in the state and of sending troops to
In response, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham dismissed Wike’s accusations as unfounded and politically motivated. He stated:
“Wike’s resentment against me is based on my choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered me by the Rivers State governor to compromise the 2019 general election.”
Sarham added that his refusal to accept the bribe offer marked the beginning of Wike’s public criticisms and alleged hatred towards him.
Addressing another claim that he leaked State Security Council meetings to criminals in Rivers State, Sarham clarified:
“Mr. Wike knows well that Maj.-Gen. Sarham is not a member of the Rivers State Security Council, neither has he ever approached the gates of Rivers State Government House since his assumption of office as the GOC, 6 Division.”
According to Sarham, the only time he met Wike in person was on January 15, 2019, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Army publicly challenged Governor Wike to produce evidence of any meeting with Maj.-Gen. Sarham or any wrongdoing he had accused the GOC of. The Army emphasized that allegations of Sarham’s involvement in illegal oil bunkering were “reckless, spurious, and mischievous.”
The Army Headquarters of 6 Division further urged the former governor to adopt a civilised approach by submitting a petition to the appropriate authorities rather than making public accusations.
Key Takeaways from the Flashback
- Bribery Allegation: Sarham accused Wike of offering billions of naira to compromise the 2019 Rivers election.
- Assassination Claim: Wike alleged that Sarham ordered a colonel to shoot him, which the colonel refused, leading to his detention.
- Oil Theft Accusation: Wike accused Sarham of illegal oil bunkering, which Sarham and the Nigerian Army denied.
- Army’s Position: The Army challenged Wike to provide evidence and advised him to use formal channels.
