Edison Ehie alleges N5bn bribe offer to impeach Governor Fubara

Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered a N5 billion bribe to mastermind the impeachment of his principal.

Ehie made this revelation during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program, asserting that he possesses evidence of the bribe attempt.

“I can also open my phone to show you. In the beginning of October 2023, they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone,” Ehie claimed.

“It was for impeachment. 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.”

Ehie stated that the alleged bribe offer was made while he was serving as the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He further dismissed claims that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the state assembly complex at the behest of Governor Fubara.

His denial was in response to allegations made by George Nwaeke, former head of service in Rivers State.

During a press conference on Friday, Nwaeke accused Governor Fubara of directing Ehie to burn down the assembly complex and claimed he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie for the operation. However, he admitted he did not know the amount inside the bag.

Refuting the allegations, Ehie described them as false and politically motivated. “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand in and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he stated.

“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of October 30, 2023, to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

Ehie also revealed that he has evidence showing that Nwaeke sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service.

He confirmed that he has instructed his lawyers to file a criminal libel lawsuit against Nwaeke, challenging him to substantiate his claims.

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened since Governor Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Amid the turmoil, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18, suspending both the governor and his deputy. Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political office holders in the state.

The allegations by Ehie have further fueled tensions in the state’s ongoing political crisis, raising concerns about governance and stability in the oil-rich region.