Senate President Godswill Akpabio and members of the National Assembly have strongly refuted allegations that lawmakers were bribed to approve a state of emergency in Rivers State, dismissing the claims as a calculated attempt to blackmail the legislature.
Reports had alleged that 45 senators received $5,000 each, while another 42 were given $10,000 before the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency rule. However, Akpabio, in a statement released on Saturday by his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, described the accusations as baseless.
Akpabio confirmed hosting senators for an Iftar meal at his guest house but insisted that no money was distributed during the gathering.
“It is true that I confirmed the Iftar meeting and further asserted that the Distinguished Senate President has always hosted his colleagues of both religious faiths in every season of spiritual rebirth,” the statement read.
“There has never existed any reason to share money in such a solemn meeting, and no money in any currency was shared. I have vehemently denied this spurious rumour. The rumour itself is peddled by merchants of blackmail to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign.”
Similarly, the House of Representatives has dismissed claims that its members were each given $5,000 to support the emergency declaration.
Deputy House spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, described the allegations as “false, malicious, and emanating from the pit of hell.”
Agbese emphasized that the House’s decision was driven by patriotism and the need to restore peace in Rivers State.
“The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution is unfair to the parliament—very, very unfair,” Agbese stated.
“All insinuations that money was given to members are lies from the pit of hell. The opposition should acknowledge the efforts we are making day and night for the country.
“At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement regarding the state of emergency declaration. The decision was reached after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional duty to safeguard national stability.
“Any suggestion that lawmakers were bribed is pure fiction, designed to distort facts and create unnecessary tension in the country.”
He reaffirmed that the House remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles and the rule of law, adding that the bribery allegations were a desperate attempt to discredit the legislature.
“The House of Representatives is committed to making decisions in the national interest, not to succumbing to baseless distractions aimed at eroding public trust,” Agbese stressed.
Drawing an analogy to the wisdom of King Solomon, Agbese explained that the state of emergency was a necessary intervention to prevent further political escalation in Rivers State.
“These people in Rivers love their state and are working hard for its progress, but disagreements arose and escalated. Mr. President, in his wisdom, decided to impose a state of emergency for a period to allow both parties to reconcile and strengthen democracy,” he said.
Agbese further noted that lawmakers approved the emergency declaration out of national interest and not for financial gain. He also revealed that the National Assembly made key adjustments to the President’s emergency proclamation before ratifying it.
