Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed allegations that senators were bribed with $15,000 to endorse the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the claims as part of a hate campaign against him.
Akpabio addressed the rumours for the first time following widespread speculation on social media that he facilitated the disbursement of the alleged funds at his Maitama residence during a fast-breaking event with senators.
Reports indicated that the Senate President was accused of arranging the payments over two consecutive days—first $5,000 on Tuesday, followed by an additional $10,000 on Wednesday, just before the vote on the proclamation.
However, rejecting the allegations, Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed them as baseless fabrications meant to tarnish his image.
“I am aware and it is true that since Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, assumed that position, he has been breaking fast. He did it last year, he did it this year, so why is it turning into a rumour?”
Questioning the motive behind the accusations, Eyiboh continued:
“On the issue of the dollars, he is giving the money for what? I am aware of the breaking of the fast, but I can tell you I am not aware and it is not true of the dollars, whether $5,000 or $10,000, people are just conjuring it to be able to give flavour to their malice and hate campaign.
“People are just conjuring the story of the $5,000, $10,000 to add flavour to their malice and hate campaign. He has been doing it. He did it last year, so why is this one associated with money?”
On Thursday, both the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State through a voice vote.