“I’m Not Running” – Briton Accused of Trying To Topple Tinubu Replies Police

A British citizen, Andrew Wynne, who was accused by the Nigerian Police Force of scheming to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, has denied the allegation.

Wynne noted that he is not currently in Nigeria, but he is not on the run as alleged by the Police, and he is willing to speak with the authorities concerning the weighty allegations levelled against him.

The NPF, on Monday, declared Wynne wanted, alleging that he operated a network of sleeper cells with a mission to cause chaos, destabilise the country and topple the government.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.

“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities,” said Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF’s spokesperson.

The NPF has placed a bounty of N20 million on him, while a Federal High Court in Abuja has also granted a warrant for his arrest.

However, Wynne, who spoke with Channels TV, denied having multiple identities as alleged by Adejobi. He also noted that he had operated his bookshop for seven years in Abuja.

“I am not aware that I am a fugitive, I am not aware that I am running away from the law, I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. I have had a bookshop at the NLC offices right at the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course, the security forces have paid no interest in me.

“I only have one nationality and the name on my passport is Andrew Wynne with a nickname. I am more than happy to talk with the police, I am more than happy to have a discussion on WhatsApp or Zoom, I am more than happy to go to London and meet with officials from the Nigerian High Commission. If they want to start a conversation then I think that is more than adequate,” Wynne said.

It is characteristic of the Nigerian government to throw allegations of treason and coup plots against critics, journalists and anyone linked to organizing or supporting a protest. For the Nigerian Police Force, protesting means “trying to unconstitutionally remove the government”.

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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