Akpabio opens up on N23m ($15k) bribe to senators to approve Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has firmly rejected claims of facilitating a $15,000 bribe to senators in exchange for their support in approving the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, suspending both the governor and his deputy. Additionally, all elected members of the Rivers State Assembly were temporarily suspended for six months, citing ongoing violence and destruction, including attacks on petroleum pipelines, which are attributed to political unrest in the region.

Akpabio Denies $15k Bribe Allegations Over Senate Approval of Emergency Rule in Rivers State

On Thursday, the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously voted in favor of the emergency rule.

However, allegations soon emerged that Akpabio was involved in disbursing bribes to senators. It was claimed that the Senate President distributed $5,000 on Tuesday and $10,000 the following day, just ahead of the critical vote on the proclamation.

Akpabio responded through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, calling the accusations part of a smear campaign. He stated that Akpabio had been involved in hosting fast-breaking events for colleagues, a tradition that had been misconstrued into rumors about the bribe.

“I am aware and it is true that since Senator Godswill Akpabio assumed that position, he has been breaking fast. He did it last year, and this year, so why is it turning into a rumor?” Eyiboh remarked.

He further questioned the logic behind the bribe rumors: “Why would Akpabio be giving out dollars to his colleagues? The reports about the $5,000 or $10,000 are just fabrications meant to tarnish his image.”

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the declaration of the state of emergency has led to criticism from other quarters. A member of the Rivers Elders Council, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has called for the suspension of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Sara-Igbe believes that Wike, who played a key role in the situation, should be held accountable.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sara-Igbe expressed concern over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, arguing that President Tinubu did not have the constitutional right to suspend an elected governor. He further criticized the unequal treatment of the governor and Wike, noting that the latter had been the source of much of the unrest in the state but faced no consequences for his actions.

“You cannot suspend an elected governor, but you won’t touch the minister who is the root cause of all the problems," Sara-Igbe asserted. "This is not fair, and it sends the wrong message."

As the political tensions continue to escalate in Rivers State, the controversy surrounding the state of emergency declaration and Akpabio’s role is far from over.

For more on the political implications and actions taken by President Tinubu in Rivers State, see  ➡Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Ibas: Rivers State.

Akpabio has denied allegations of bribery in the Senate, with his spokesman calling the rumors part of a smear campaign. Read more about bribery allegations in Nigerian politics at ➡ Reuters: Allegations of Political Bribery in Nigeria.