The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed allegations that senators received bribes to approve President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Akpabio, through his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, on Saturday, described the claims as a smear campaign by individuals bent on blackmailing the National Assembly.
The allegations, first reported by SaharaReporters, suggested that 45 senators received $5,000 (₦7,750,000) each on Tuesday night, while 42 others were handed $10,000 (₦15,500,000) each on Wednesday night, ahead of the emergency rule approval on Thursday.
The report further alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, provided the funds to Akpabio to mobilise lawmakers in support of Tinubu’s proclamation.
However, Akpabio dismissed the claims, insisting that he only hosted some senators for an Iftar (breaking of fast) meal at his Maitama residence, with no money changing hands.
“There has never existed any reason to share any money in such a solemn meeting and no money in any currency was shared. I have vehemently denied this spurious rumour of sharing any money. The rumour in itself is peddled by the merchants of blackmail enterprise to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign,” the statement read.
House of Representatives Also Denies Bribe Claims
Similarly, the House of Representatives has refuted allegations that its members received $5,000 each to support the emergency rule.
Addressing journalists on Saturday, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, said the reports were “unfair to the Parliament” and aimed at discrediting their work.
“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 to the Parliament. What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon,” he stated.
Agbese argued that the House’s decision was based on national interest, not financial inducement.
“At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement in relation to the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability,” he said.
Wike, who was named as the alleged financier of the bribe, has yet to comment on the accusations.
Controversy Over Approval Process
Beyond the bribery allegations, the method used by the National Assembly to approve the emergency rule has sparked criticism.
Section 305(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers to approve a state of emergency. However, both the Senate and the House of Representatives adopted a voice vote instead of a recorded roll-call vote.
Despite no audible opposition during the voting, some lawmakers have since criticised the process.
Bayelsa West Senator, Seriake Dickson, walked out of the Senate chamber in protest, arguing that the action was unconstitutional.
He later revealed that he and other senators, including Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), opposed the emergency rule but were denied the chance to debate it.
Also, Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the FCT, expressed her concerns, stating that the proclamation should not have been approved through a mere voice vote.
Reps Defend Tinubu’s Decision
Despite the controversy, Agbese maintained that the House’s approval stemmed from patriotism and a commitment to safeguarding Rivers State from political turmoil.
“We have seen some of the developments in Rivers State. The government is not doing badly. But what we are saying is that, we don’t want the breakdown of institutions as far as Rivers State is concerned,” he said.
He further dismissed fears that Tinubu’s action was undemocratic, arguing that the President remains committed to protecting the country’s institutions.
“We know Mr President very well. He is a democrat. He has fought for the institutions of our democracy as far as Nigeria is concerned. And he is one man who would always want to protect this democracy,” he said.
While Agbese assured that the House met its quorum requirement with 243 members present, he did not explain why the lawmakers opted for a voice vote despite constitutional provisions requiring a formal count.
With the allegations of bribery and concerns over the approval process still lingering, Nigerians remain divided on whether the emergency rule in Rivers State was driven by necessity or political manoeuvring.
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