Taiwo Amodu and Kehinde Akintola
FOLLOWING widespread allegations, both the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives have denied that $30,000 and $5,000 bribes were shared to senators and Reps members, respectively, to secure their buy-in for the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency and appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the session he had with lawmakers on the eve of the Senate sitting to declare the fate of axed Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, was an Iftar (breaking of fast) and not a meeting to distribute dollars.
Similarly, the Deputy Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs in the lower chamber, Hon. Philip Agbese, who spoke during a media chat in Abuja, maintained that the resolution of the house was not for any pecuniary consideration as being alleged.
Sunday Tribune checks revealed that the two legislative chambers through voice vote gave legislative approval to the emergency proclamation.
The Senate president, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, said: “That, there has never existed any reason to share any money in such a solemn meeting and no money in any currency was shared.”
He attributed the speculation to those he called “the merchants of blackmail enterprise to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign.”
Eyiboh said in the statement that: “My attention has been drawn to a story in circulation credited to a press release I issued. For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state thus:
“That, I have not and never issued any press release in relation to the Iftar (breaking of fast) hosted by Senator Godswill Akpabio
“That, it is true, a newspaper correspondent called me on the phone to confirm or disclaim the rumour of sharing dollars during the breaking of the fast.
“That it is true that I confirmed the Iftar meeting and further asserted that the Senate president has always hosted his colleagues of both religious faiths in every season of spiritual rebirth.
“That, there has never existed any reason to share any money in such a solemn meeting and no money in any currency was shared. I have vehemently denied this spurious rumour of sharing any money. The rumour in itself is peddled by the merchants of blackmail enterprise to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign.
“This is to correct every record and clarify every misinformation arising therefrom.”
In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Agbese said that members of the house were not induced with $5,000 to ratify President Tinubu’s request.
On the controversy over quorum, Hon. Agbese said the House satisfied the constitutional requirement of quorum with 243 members in attendance during the exercise.
The Benue lawmaker, who described the allegation as false, malicious and emanating from “the pit of hell,” however, argued that the House position was based on patriotism and in the interest of restoring lasting peace to Rivers State.
He said: “The allegation that members of the House of Representatives were induced with $5,000 to pass a resolution is unfair to the Parliament. Very unfair to the parliament.
“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.
“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.
NGF remains nonpartisan on recent political developments ―Shittu
Meanwhile, the Director General of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Abdulateef Shittu, on Saturday reiterated the forum’s neutrality on issue bothering on some recent political developments in the country which may alienate its members with varying political interests.
Dr Shittu’s statement entitled ‘NGF clarifies silence on political matters’ is coming on the heels of the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State by President Tinubu.
He reiterated the forum’s commitment towards promoting governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.
He said: “The forum wishes to clarify that it is an umbrella body for subnational governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic growth and the well-being of the people.
“As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history — just a few years after the forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.
“Regardless, the forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education, and universal healthcare, among others.
“We call for the understanding of the public and the media, confident that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms would take care of any such issues.”
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