Reps Deny Claims of $5,000 Bribe Linked to Rivers State of Emergency

Allegations that each member of the House of Representatives was offered $5,000 in exchange for approving President Bola Tinubu’s request to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State have been rejected.
Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), the House’s deputy spokesman, strongly denied the allegations, claiming they were nasty, untrue, and coming “from the pit of hell.”
Agbese addressed the charges, which went viral after the House’s resolution on the state of emergency on Thursday, in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Saturday.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and every member of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended as a result of the accusations that members were bought off to approve the resolution.

It is unjust to the Parliament to claim that members of the House of Representatives were coerced into passing a resolution by offering them $5,000. Agbese said, “Very, very unfair to the Parliament.”

He emphasized that the House’s decision was motivated by patriotism and a sincere wish to bring peace back to Rivers State.

In defense of the state of emergency, Agbese claimed that it was in the best interests of the country and in accordance with constitutional obligations to maintain stability.

In reference to the biblical character renowned for his astute assessments, he stated, “What we did on Thursday was to align ourselves with what I call the wisdom of King Solomon.”

“All insinuations that any individual was given money to give to members is nothing but lies from the pit of hell,” he said, further rejecting the bribery accusations.

Agbese further chastised the opposition for not appreciating the House’s constructive attempts to solve national concerns.

Agbese emphasized the House’s participation in making significant changes to President Tinubu’s emergency proclamation while dismissing the bribery allegations.

The National Assembly would take over the Rivers Assembly’s legislative responsibilities during the state of emergency, the Parliament decided. The House also proposed that if the conflicting groups in Rivers State come to an early agreement, the emergency term might be shortened.

Agbese emphasized the House’s commitment to finding a long-term solution to the conflict by saying, “Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days, 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.”

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Agbese reaffirmed his belief that President Tinubu will uphold democratic institutions. “We know President very well,” he said. He’s a Democrat. In terms of Nigeria, he has battled for the institutions of our democracy.

He was hopeful that the President will lift the state of emergency and return everything to normal if the problems in Rivers State could be settled in less than six months.

A tri-partite committee made up of prominent Nigerians, members of Parliament, and Executive Council members would be established to promote communication and end the political impasse in Rivers State, the Deputy Spokesman further said.

Agbese blamed opposition elements and “fifth columnists” for the bribery accusations, accusing them of trying to damage the House’s reputation.

Assuring Nigerians that the House would always act in their best interests, he urged them to keep supporting it.

With 243 MPs present during the resolution to approve the state of emergency, Agbese certified that the House had the quorum needed.

“I am confident that both the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly will emerge stronger by the end of the state of emergency, contributing to the state’s overall progress,” he said.