How I was offered N5bn to facilitate Fubara’s removal – Edison Ehie

Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers, has accused certain individuals of attempting to bribe him with N5 billion to orchestrate the impeachment of his boss.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Ehie, who also served as the factional speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly until January 2024, revealed that he still has proof of the bribe offer saved on his phone.

“I can show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they offered me N5 billion. It’s still here in my phone,” Ehie said. “It was for the purpose of impeachment. I have it, and I’ve printed and shared it in case anyone tries to attack me with their malicious intentions. I already have a son and a brother.”

He confirmed that the bribe was offered during his tenure as the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Ehie also rejected claims made by George Nwaeke, the former head of service in Rivers, who accused him of being behind the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers Assembly Complex on Fubara’s orders.

In a press conference last Friday, Nwaeke alleged that the suspended governor had directed Ehie to carry out the attack and that he had personally witnessed a bag of money being handed to Ehie for the operation.

Ehie quickly dismissed these allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.

“It’s crucial to clarify that I had no involvement in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he stated. “Like everyone else, I woke up on October 30, 2023, to learn about the attack on the assembly.”

He continued, “I won’t engage in a public debate with Mr. George Nwaeke, but I’ve instructed my lawyers to file a criminal libel case against him. I hope he’s ready to prove his baseless claims.”

Ehie also claimed he has evidence of Nwaeke seeking financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service.

Rivers State has been in political turmoil since Fubara’s fallout with Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended both the governor and his deputy. On March 26, Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s sole administrator, suspended all political officeholders in Rivers.