The House of Representatives has dismissed allegations that its members were bribed with $5,000 each to approve President Bola Tinubu’s request for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), described the claims as baseless, malicious, and originating from “the pit of hell.”
According to Agbese, the decision to support the emergency declaration was made out of patriotism and in the interest of ensuring lasting peace in Rivers State.
“The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution is unfair to the Parliament. Very, very unfair to the Parliament. What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon,” he stated.
He categorically denied any financial inducement in the decision-making process.
“All insinuations that any individual was given money to give to members is nothing but lies from the pit of hell. The opposition should see the good things that we are doing day and night for the country.
“At no point did members of the House engage in any financial inducement in relation to the state of emergency declaration. The decision was taken after extensive deliberations on the security and political situation in Rivers State, in line with our constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national stability. Any suggestion that lawmakers were bribed is pure fiction, designed to serve the interests of those who seek to distort facts and create unnecessary tension in the country.
“The House of Representatives remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles, the rule of law, and the collective will of the Nigerian people. Our duty is to make decisions that align with the national interest, not to succumb to baseless distractions aimed at eroding public trust. The allegations of bribery are a desperate attempt to discredit the House and must be dismissed as the political comedy that it is.”
Comparing the President’s action to the biblical wisdom of King Solomon, Agbese explained that Tinubu’s decision was aimed at resolving the crisis fairly.
“What the President did was like what King Solomon did when the two women who were fighting over the propriety of a child came to him. These people in Rivers are all interested in the progress and development of Rivers State. They love the state, and they are working hard for it. But one way or the other, disagreements arose among the parties which escalated, and Mr. President, in his wisdom, decided to impose a state of emergency for a period of time so as to allow the two parties to come together, in order to further deepen our democracy.”
Agbese maintained that members of the House supported the state of emergency purely out of concern for peace and stability in Rivers State.
“We have seen some of the developments in Rivers State. The government is not doing badly. But what we are saying is that we don’t want the breakdown of institutions as far as Rivers State is concerned,” he noted.
He emphasised that the Parliament acted with wisdom, ensuring that their decision was not influenced by external sentiments.
“We deployed our wisdom as a Parliament, not to pander to sentiments or views expressed by groups outside. Yes, we are a people’s Parliament. We listen to the voices of Nigerians. Of course, there are people who say the state of emergency by Mr. President is wrong. There are those who also believe that it was done in the right manner to ensure that there is peace in that state.
“As a Parliament, our interest is to form a bridge, to ensure that our democracy continues to work. As a Parliament, our interest is to protect our democracy and democratic institutions. We resolved as a Parliament to make certain amendments to the proclamations made by Mr. President.”
He explained that before ratifying the emergency declaration, the House made key amendments to the President’s proclamation.
“One is that the Parliament remains the law-making body as far as the country is concerned. We resolved that the National Assembly would take over the legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly within the period of time that the state of emergency is enforced.
“Secondly, we resolved as a Parliament that it must not necessarily be for six months for the parties to come together and resolve. Even if it is within two weeks, that these parties are able to resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days.”
Agbese expressed confidence in Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles, stating that the President would not undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“We know Mr. President very well. He is a democrat. He has fought for the institutions of our democracy as far as Nigeria is concerned. And he is one man who would always want to protect this democracy. He is a President that we know as a Parliament,” he said.
“We have been relating with him as the President of the country for the past almost two years now. We have been relating with him as our President. We have seen his concerns. The 10th House of Representatives has seen the genuine concerns and we believe and trust that if these issues are resolved in less than six months, Mr. President is going to put an end to the state of emergency in that state.”
As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, Agbese revealed that the House had also recommended the formation of a tripartite committee to mediate between the warring factions.
“The House, in its wisdom, equally resolved that a tripartite committee comprising eminent Nigerians, members of the Parliament and members of the Executive Council, on the other hand, be constituted to ensure that the warring groups in Rivers State are brought to a roundtable and an amicable resolution is reached,” he stated.
Dismissing the bribery claims as a smear campaign by political opponents, Agbese blamed “fifth columnists” for attempting to tarnish the reputation of the Parliament.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the House, assuring that lawmakers would always act in the people’s best interest.
He also expressed optimism that once the state of emergency is lifted, both the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly would emerge stronger for the overall good of the state.
On concerns over the House meeting quorum, Agbese clarified that 243 members were in attendance, satisfying the constitutional requirement.
