People are just conjuring it to be able to give flavour to their malice and hate campaign – Akpabio reacts to claim of senators being bribed with $15,000 to vote in favour of Tinubu’s state of emergency in Rivers state

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the distribution of $15,000 in bribes to senators to secure their support for the state of emergency in Rivers State. Describing the claims as a “campaign of hate” against him, Akpabio asserted that the accusations were unfounded and fabricated.

The allegations, which gained traction on social media, suggested that Akpabio facilitated the disbursement of $5,000 on Tuesday, March 18, and an additional $10,000 on Wednesday, March 19, during a breaking-of-fast event at his Maitama residence—just before the legislative vote on the proclamation.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio denied any involvement in financial inducements, stressing that the breaking of fast was a longstanding tradition. The Senate and the House of Representatives approved the state of emergency declaration for Rivers State through a unanimous voice vote on Thursday. However, the alleged cash inducement remains a topic of political debate.

“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 questioned
“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 be able to give flavour to their malice and hate campaign.”