A team of heavily armed soldiers reportedly stormed Rumuiprikom, hometown of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nyesom Wike, early yesterday morning.

The mission of the soldiers was not clear at the time of filing this report, but it was gathered that the soldiers moved into the area and barricaded it.

The security operatives reportedly stationed their vehicles on the road leading to Wike’s residence, even as they stopped and searched vehicles coming from both directions.

It would be recalled that some hoodlums had exchanged gunfire with soldiers in Wimpey area of Mile 3, though the soldiers overpowered the criminals, arrested scores of them and recovered a cache of arms.

Reacting to the development, Wike accused Amaechi of bringing soldiers to his father’s house, saying he does not know why the governor was after him, even as the situation caused a gridlock in the area. Addressing journalists after voting at Unit 7 Ward 9 in Obio/Akpor during the governorship and state assembly elections,Wike alleged that Amaechi’s desperation was such that he led securitymen to his (Wike’s) family home by 2.30 a.m. on election day.

According to him, “the level of Amaechi’s desperation for victory is alarming. At about 2.30 a.m. this morning, he led security agents to storm my family home.

He was at the gate for several minutes shouting repeatedly. Today, the governor went around with thugs snatching ballot papers in different polling units in Obio/Akpor LGA.

“Amaechi is trying to disrupt the election, but he has failed. In Omagwa, I learnt that Amaechi’s attempt to snatch ballot papers was rebuffed by the people who chased him away and he had to be rescued by soldiers. “

Commenting on the elections, Wike urged the people to remain calm and vote peacefully despite the provocation by the governor and his associates.

He commended INEC officials for conducting the elections in line with laid down election guidelines.

Wike said that reports reaching him from party agents across the state indicate that voting had commenced in most polling units.

Meanwhile, the Campaign Director of the APC Governorship Candidate, Barrister Tamuno Williams, yesterday alleged that 80 per cent of card readers in the area malfunctioned.

It was also gathered that result sheets were hijacked by some unknown persons in some towns in Obio/Akpor, Omagwa, Ikwerre local government.

•Adapted from Sunday Mirror. Photo shows Wike.