Deborah Akinyosoye
Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered N5 billion to facilitate the impeachment of his principal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie claimed to have evidence of the bribe offer stored on his phone.
“I can also open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone.
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he said.
Ehie stated that the alleged offer was made while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Additionally, he refuted claims that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers State Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders.
The allegation was made by former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, during a press conference last Friday.
Nwaeke had alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House for the operation, though he admitted he did not know the exact amount inside.
Dismissing the claim as false and politically motivated, Ehie stated: “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Ehie further revealed that he had instructed his legal team to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel.
“I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he said.
He also alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as Head of Service.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil following Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of both the governor and his deputy.
Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in Rivers State.