By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Police on Monday declared British national Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and Nigerian Lucky Obiyan wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow Nigeria’s democratically elected government.
Obiyan contested for the governorship of the Labour Party primaries for the Edo 2024 election and lost.
The police accuse Wynne of creating a network of sleeper cells to destabilize the country and incite chaos. During a press briefing in Abuja, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that Wynne had rented a space at Labour House, where he set up a school as a cover for his activities.
Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a thorough investigation into the activities of foreign and local elements seeking to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government through unconstitutional means and violent actions.”
He added, “Following extensive intelligence and collaboration with other security agencies, we have apprehended nine suspects who received significant foreign funding to destabilize Nigeria. These individuals orchestrated and financed violent protests, spread false information, and engaged in unlawful activities to justify their plot to overthrow the government.”
The investigation has revealed that Wynne, along with his network, used a façade of institutions such as the ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ to facilitate his plans. Evidence and confessions show that Wynne not only financed but also directed operations aimed at provoking violence and international condemnation against the Nigerian government.
Adejobi noted that Wynne and his local associate, Obiyan, have since fled the country. “Since the investigation began, Andrew Wynne and his local coordinator Lucky Ehis Obiyan have been declared wanted, and a global search for them has been initiated,” he said.