Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered a bribe of N5 billion to support the governor’s impeachment. Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Ehie claimed to have evidence of the offer stored on his phone.
“I can show you proof from my phone. In early October 2023, I was approached with a N5 billion bribe for the impeachment. I have documented and shared it in case any harm comes my way,” he stated.
Ehie explained that the alleged bribe offer came while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He also denied allegations that he was involved in the October 30, 2023, attack on the Rivers State Assembly complex, which some reports claimed was done under Governor Fubara’s orders.
The accusation was made by former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, during a press conference. Nwaeke claimed he witnessed a bag of money being handed to Ehie at the Government House for the operation but admitted he did not know the exact amount inside.
Ehie dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, stating, “I had no role in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Like everyone else, I woke up that morning to the news of the incident.”
He further revealed that he has instructed his legal team to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel. “I won’t engage in a back-and-forth with Mr. George Nwaeke, as I have directed my lawyers to take legal action. He will have to prove his claims in court,” Ehie added.
Additionally, Ehie accused Nwaeke of seeking financial help from him on the same day he resigned as Head of Service.
Rivers State has been in political turmoil since Governor Fubara fell out with his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, leading to the suspension of both Fubara and his deputy.
Following this, on March 26, the state’s sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, announced the suspension of all political officeholders in Rivers State.
