Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered ₦5 billion to support his principal’s impeachment but refused the offer.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels TV on Sunday night, Ehie claimed that the bribe was proposed in October 2023.
“I was approached with a N5 billion bribe against the governor, but I refused,” he said. “The bribe was for impeachment, but I turned it down.”
He further insisted he had evidence to back his claim. “I can open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of ₦5 billion; the proof is here on my phone,” he added, without naming those involved.
His revelation comes amid fresh allegations by former Rivers Head of Service, George Nwaeke, who accused Governor Fubara and Ehie of orchestrating the bombing of the state’s House of Assembly complex.
Mr Nwaeke alleged that he personally witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie for the operation. “I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside,” he said.
He further claimed that the attack on the Assembly complex was carried out on Fubara’s orders. “The House of Assembly complex in Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara; I challenge him to an open confrontation,” Nwaeke alleged.
Ehie, however, dismissed the accusations as false and politically motivated. “I had no hand in the burning down of the Rivers House of Assembly. Like everyone else, I woke up on the 30th of October 2023 to the news,” he stated.
The crisis in Rivers has escalated tensions in the state, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare emergency rule.
However, the decision has been met with criticism, with many Nigerians arguing that it violates the constitution and undermines democracy.