Akpabio denies sharing $30,000 with Senators to endorse Rivers emergency rule

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted claims that $30,000 was distributed to each senator to secure their support for President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The Senate approved the emergency declaration via a voice vote.

Akpabio, speaking through his media adviser, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, clarified that his gathering with lawmakers was an Iftar (breaking of fast) and not a meeting to disburse funds.

He said: “That, there has never existed any reason to share any money in such a solemn meeting and no money in any currency was shared.”

He attributed the speculation to those he called “the merchants of blackmail enterprise to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign.”

The statement read in part: “My attention has been drawn to a story in circulation credited to a Press Release I issued. For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state thus:

“That, I have not and never issued any Press Release in relation to the IFTAR (breaking of fast) hosted by His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“That, it is true, a newspaper correspondent called me on the phone to confirm or disclaim to the rumour of sharing Dollars during the breaking of the fast.

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“That it is true that I confirmed the IFTAR meeting and further asserted that, the Distinguished Senate President has always hosted his colleagues of both religious faith in every season of spiritual rebirth.

“That, there has never existed any reason to share any money in such a solemn meeting and no money in any currency was shared. I have vehemently denied this spurious rumour of sharing any money.

The rumour in itself is peddled by the merchants of blackmail enterprise to add flavour to their subsisting hate and malice campaign.

“This is to correct every record and clarify every misinformation arising therefrom.”

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