Claims that the House of Representatives was coerced into approving President Bola Tinubu’s proposal for a state of emergency in Rivers State by offering each member $5,000 have been rejected.
The charges were strongly denied by Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), the deputy spokesman for the House, who described them as nasty, untrue, and coming “from the pit of hell.”
Agbese addressed the charges in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Saturday. The accusations surfaced after the House passed a resolution on the state of emergency on Thursday.
All members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, were suspended as a result of the accusations that members were bought off to approve the resolution.
The claim that members of the House of Representatives were coerced into passing a resolution by offering them $5,000 is unjust to the Parliament. Extremely, extremely unjust to the Parliament,” Agbese said.
He emphasized that the House’s decision was motivated by a sincere wish to bring peace back to Rivers State and by patriotism.
Agbese justified the decision to uphold the state of emergency, claiming that it was made in the interest of the country and in accordance with constitutional obligations to maintain stability.
“On Thursday, we aligned ourselves with what I refer to as the wisdom of King Solomon,” he remarked, citing the biblical character renowned for his astute judgments.
Additionally, he denied the bribery accusations, saying, “Any suggestion that any individual received money to distribute to members is a complete fabrication.”
Additionally, Agbese chastised the opposition for not acknowledging the House’s constructive attempts to solve national challenges.
Agbese denied the allegations of bribery but emphasized the House’s contribution to President Tinubu’s emergency proclamation by making significant changes.
During the state of emergency, the National Assembly will take over the Rivers Assembly’s legislative responsibilities, the Parliament decided. The House also proposed shortening the emergency term in the event that the conflicting groups in Rivers State reach an early agreement.
Agbese emphasized the House’s commitment to finding a long-term solution to the conflict by saying, “Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days until these parties are able to resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, even if it is within two weeks.”
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Agbese reaffirmed that he believes President Tinubu is dedicated to upholding democratic institutions. “We are very familiar with President,” he said. He is a Democrat. From a Nigerian perspective, he has fought for the institutions of our democracy.
If the problems in Rivers State can be settled in less than six months, he said, the President would lift the state of emergency and things will return to normal.
The Deputy Spokesman also declared that a tri-partite committee would be established to promote communication and end the political impasse in Rivers State. The committee would include of members of the Executive Council, Parliament, and prominent Nigerians.
Agbese blamed the bribery claims on opposition groups and “fifth columnists,” who he said were trying to damage the House’s reputation.
He urged Nigerians to keep backing the House, promising that it would always work in the people’s best interests.
Agbese affirmed that the House had the necessary quorum when it approved the measure to declare a state of emergency, with 243 members present.
He was confident that the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly would both come out stronger at the conclusion of the state of emergency, which would help the state as a whole.
