Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has said that some people offered him N5 billion to help remove the governor from office. He made this claim during an interview on Channels Television Sunday Politics.
Ehie explained that he has proof of the offer on his phone and has printed copies in case anyone tries to harm him. He said the bribe offer came in October 2023 when he was the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He also denied allegations that he was involved in setting fire to the Rivers State Assembly building on October 30, 2023. A former government official, George Nwaeke, had accused Ehie of receiving a bag of money to carry out the attack. However, Nwaeke admitted he did not know how much money was inside.
Ehie dismissed the accusation, saying he was not involved and only heard about the fire like everyone else. He also said he has asked his lawyers to take legal action against Nwaeke for making false claims.
Rivers State has been in crisis due to a political disagreement between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
To restore order, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending both the governor and his deputy. On March 26, the new administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, also suspended all political officeholders.
