The Chief of Staff to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Edison Ehie, has alleged that he was offered N5 billion to facilitate the impeachment of his principal.
Ehie made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s *Sunday Politics*, stating that he has evidence of the offer stored on his phone. He said the alleged bribe was presented to him in October 2023 while he was serving as the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He also dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the state assembly complex on Fubara’s orders, describing the claims as false and politically motivated. Ehie stated that he has instructed his lawyers to file a criminal libel suit against former Rivers Head of Service George Nwaeke, who accused him of involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has reiterated his commitment to defending the interests of Rivers people despite the political crisis. Speaking at his private residence in Port Harcourt while receiving Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, he urged residents to remain steadfast and trust in God’s process.
In a related development, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have announced plans to take legal action against Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd). The groups accused him of unconstitutional governance and unauthorized spending of state funds.
Additionally, PDP chieftain Dele Momodu has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara and the state assembly, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy. Momodu urged Tinubu to uphold democratic principles, stating that failure in governance could be forgiven, but undermining democracy would not be overlooked.
