It has been revealed that cash was distributed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s guest house on Tuesday and Wednesday nights to secure lawmakers’ backing for Bola Tinubu’s proposed state of emergency in Rivers State.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed to Saharareporters, that Akpabio’s guest house at No. 22, Yedeseram Street, Maitama, Abuja, served as the location for the payouts.
On Wednesday night, 42 senators reportedly received $10,000 each, while on Tuesday night, 45 senators were given $5,000 each to sway their support for the controversial emergency rule.
SaharaReporters also learned that Labour Party senators Victor Umeh and Neda Imasuen played key roles in coordinating the disbursement.
“They were the only Labour Party senators present at both events on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and participated in collecting the money,” one of the sources said.
“The venue was the Senate President’s guest house at No. 22 Yedeseram Street, Maitama, where 42 senators were given $10,000 each last Wednesday night, and 45 senators received $5,000 each on Tuesday night, March 18, to pass the controversial Rivers State emergency rule.”
On Wednesday, SaharaReporters exclusively revealed that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, allegedly provided financial support to Senate President Godswill Akpabio to mobilize senators in favor of Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
This came after President Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state on Tuesday, which also resulted in the six-month suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly.
Later on Wednesday, the Senate postponed the discussion of the matter until 3 p.m. the same day.
Although the motion to deliberate on Tinubu’s letter was listed as the first item on the day’s Order Paper, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to delay the debate. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
After the delay, the Senate moved on to other agenda items, including the confirmation of nominees for the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Sources told SaharaReporters that Akpabio deliberately postponed the debate on the Rivers State emergency rule until 3 p.m., a time when most senators would have already left the chamber.
“Wike allegedly provided money for Akpabio as they met yesterday after Tinubu told him to do the groundwork for the State of Emergency. Over $3 million was provided when Wike met Akpabio,” one of the sources said on Wednesday.
“Akpabio then invited some senators to Iftar after which he gave them dollars depending on their seniority.”
However, sources said some senators, including former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and several other former governors, did not attend the Iftar.
“The announcement was made during Iftar,” a source said.
“The senators requested an open vote, but Akpabio postponed it until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber.
“At least 72 senators are required to sign, but fewer than 60 were present today. The House of Representatives also needs a minimum of 240 votes. Meanwhile, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, was not informed, which explains the chaos in the House of Representatives today (Wednesday).”
Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing rising political instability and security concerns, including recent incidents of pipeline vandalism that jeopardized the nation’s oil production.
This declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months. To oversee the administration during this period, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the state’s administrator.
As per constitutional requirements, Tinubu’s proclamation needed approval from the National Assembly.
Earlier today, both the Senate and the House of Representatives convened to deliberate on the declaration.
The Senate held a closed-door session for more than an hour to discuss the state of emergency.
After the session, Senate President Akpabio announced that the Senate had unanimously approved the President’s declaration.
The Senate referred to Sections 134, 135, and 136 of its Standing Orders, in line with Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President the authority to declare a state of emergency, subject to legislative approval.
The Senate’s resolution included the formation of a joint ad hoc committee with the House of Representatives to monitor the administration of Rivers State during the emergency.
Additionally, a committee made up of distinguished Nigerians was proposed to mediate and resolve the political crisis in the state within the six-month period.
Earlier on Thursday, the House of Representatives also convened to discuss the President’s declaration. The session, attended by 243 members, culminated in a voice vote that overwhelmingly supported the state of emergency.
The House recommended the creation of a national committee to facilitate peace and restore order in Rivers State.
It also resolved that the National Assembly would assume the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the duration of the emergency rule.
These legislative approvals officially enacted the state of emergency in Rivers State, granting the federal government the authority to intervene and address the region’s underlying issues.
(Saharareporters)
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