Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly denied allegations that he bribed senators with $15,000 to support the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, dismissing the claims as an orchestrated smear campaign.
Recent reports circulating on social media suggested that Akpabio gave out $5,000 to lawmakers on Tuesday and followed up with an additional $10,000 on Wednesday during a Ramadan fast-breaking event at his Maitama residence. These claims have sparked controversy, with critics questioning the timing of the financial gestures.
However, Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media, Eseme Eyiboh, refuted the allegations, insisting that the event was part of his long-standing tradition of hosting Ramadan gatherings. He criticized the attempt to politicize a routine gesture, stating, “The Senate President has hosted fast-breaking events for years, even before he became Senate President. Why is it suddenly being linked to bribery?”
Eyiboh further argued that the accusations were being spread by individuals with malicious intent, aiming to discredit Akpabio’s leadership. “This is nothing more than a fabricated story designed to fuel political mischief. There is no evidence to support these baseless claims,” he added.
The bribery allegations emerged amid growing political tensions following the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. The decision led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s lawmakers for six months, a move that has been widely debated.
While Akpabio’s camp maintains that the allegations are unfounded, critics argue that the claims should be thoroughly investigated to ensure transparency in the Senate’s decision-making process.
