Senate President Godswill Akpabio has vehemently denied claims that senators received a $15,000 bribe to support the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Dismissing the allegations as baseless, he described them as part of a calculated smear campaign against him.
For the first time, Akpabio addressed the growing speculation, particularly on social media, that he orchestrated the distribution of cash incentives at his Maitama residence during a Ramadan fast-breaking gathering with senators.
According to these rumors, lawmakers allegedly received $5,000 on the 18th of March and an additional $10,000 on the 19th of March 2025, the eve of the critical vote.
However, through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio dismissed the allegations outright, questioning their credibility and motive.
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“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?” Eyiboh stated.
Challenging the logic behind the accusations, he added: “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 give flavour to their malice and hate campaign.”
Reiterating that Akpabio had hosted similar gatherings in previous years without controversy, Eyiboh questioned why this particular event had been linked to bribery.
Meanwhile, Saturday Vanguard reports that both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the motion for a state of emergency in Rivers State via a unanimous voice vote on the 20th of March, 2025.