Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that he was offered a staggering N5 billion to facilitate the impeachment of his principal.
Speaking during an interview 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, they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone,” Ehie asserted.
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it, and I have printed and distributed it in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he added.
Ehie, who was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time, also dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers State Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders.
The accusation was made last Friday by George Nwaeke, a former Head of Service in Rivers State, during a press conference. Nwaeke claimed he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House for the operation, though he admitted he was unsure of the exact amount inside.
Ehie, however, labeled the claim as false and politically motivated.
“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,” he stated.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of October 30, 2023, to hear of the incident.”
He further revealed that he had instructed his legal team to file a criminal libel lawsuit against Nwaeke.
“I will not engage completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file a case of criminal libel against him. I hope he is prepared to substantiate his claims,” Ehie said.
According to Ehie, 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 Governor Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy.
Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in the state, further deepening the crisis.
