Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered a bribe of N5 billion to facilitate the impeachment of his principal.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie revealed that he has evidence of the bribe offer, claiming it was made in October 2023.
“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,” Ehie stated, adding that he has printed and distributed the evidence “in case they decide to attack me.”
Ehie, who was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time, vehemently denied accusations from a former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, who claimed that Ehie was involved in orchestrating the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30, 2023.
“I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Ehie clarified. He further announced plans to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel, challenging him to substantiate his claims.
The political tension in Rivers State has escalated following a fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, resulting in the suspension of Fubara and his deputy earlier this month.