Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly refuted rumors suggesting that he facilitated the disbursement of a $15,000 bribe to senators to secure their endorsement for the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Akpabio dismissed the allegations as part of a malicious hate campaign targeting him personally.
The rumors, which circulated widely on social media, claimed that Akpabio arranged for the distribution of $5,000 on Tuesday and an additional $10,000 on Wednesday, just before the Senate and House of Representatives voted to approve the state of emergency. It was suggested that the funds were handed out during a breaking-of-fast event hosted by Akpabio at his Maitama residence.
However, Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media, Eseme Eyiboh, denied the allegations. Eyiboh explained that while it is true that Akpabio has hosted breaking-of-fast events in the past, including this year, there was no truth to the claims about the bribes. Eyiboh questioned the motive behind the allegations, asking, “Why would Akpabio be giving out dollars to his colleagues? What for?”
Eyiboh further stated, “People are just conjuring the story of the $5,000, $10,000 to add flavor to their malice and hate campaign. He has been doing this for years, so why is this particular event associated with money?”
The state of emergency in Rivers State was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives through a unanimous voice vote on Thursday, a decision that continues to generate political and legal controversy.
Akpabio’s response comes amid growing public attention to the legislative process and the ongoing debates surrounding the political developments in Rivers State.
