He stated that the offer was made while he was the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Edison Ehie, has alleged that he was offered ₦5 billion in October 2023 to facilitate the governor’s impeachment.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie claimed he had proof of the bribery attempt.
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it recorded, and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me or kill me,” he said.
He stated that the offer was made while he was the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Ehie also dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders.
Former Head of Service, George Nwaeke, had claimed during a press conference last Friday that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to execute the operation, though he admitted he did not know the amount inside.
In response, Ehie described the accusation as false and politically motivated.
“It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of the 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said.
He further revealed that he had instructed his lawyers to file a criminal libel lawsuit against Nwaeke.
“I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he added.
Ehie also alleged that on the same day Nwaeke resigned as Head of Service, he approached him for financial assistance.
The political crisis in Rivers State began when Fubara, who was once an ally of former Governor Nyesom Wike, started clashing with his predecessor over control of the state’s political structure.
The rift deepened as lawmakers loyal to Wike attempted to impeach Fubara, leading to violence, including the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
As tensions escalated, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing political instability and threats to Nigeria’s oil production due to recent pipeline vandalism.
He suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
To administer the state, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator.
The declaration has been met with criticism from various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association, which argues that the emergency rule does not justify the suspension of an elected government. Despite opposition, the federal government has maintained its stance on the decision.
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