Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made a shocking revelation, claiming he was offered N5 billion to coordinate the impeachment of his principal.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie stated that he possesses evidence of the alleged bribe offer stored on his phone.
“I can also open my phone to show you. In the beginning of October 2023, they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone,” Ehie declared.
He further revealed that he has printed and distributed copies of the evidence to ensure his safety. “It was for impeachment. It’s here.
I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he added.
Ehie stated that the offer was made while he was serving as the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, before assuming his current role as Chief of Staff.
Ehie also dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Fubara’s orders. The accusation was made by a former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, during a press conference last Friday.
Nwaeke alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to execute the operation, though he admitted he did not know the exact amount inside.
Dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated, Ehie maintained his innocence. “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said. “Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of October 30, 2023, to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
In response to the allegations, Ehie revealed that he has instructed his lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel. “I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he stated. He further alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as Head of Service, suggesting ulterior motives behind the accusations.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a deep political crisis following the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The tension escalated on March 18 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended both the governor and his deputy. Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in the state, further intensifying the political turmoil.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the legal and political developments in Rivers State, as Ehie’s allegations add a new dimension to the ongoing crisis.