TheCable

Mahmoud Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says an alleged audio recording of Nyesom Wike, Rivers governor, has shed light on what transpired in Etche local government.

The legislative rerun election in Etche was not concluded because of the high level of irregularities recorded there.

A voice said to be Wike’s was heard on the recording threatening an INEC official to do his bidding or he “will kill” him.

Speaking with The Interview Magazine, Yakubu said he found it curious that Etche was mentioned in the recording.

“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,” the INEC chairman said.

“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.”

On Friday, Yakubu made it known that INEC would conclude the elections in Etche in 2017.