President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied speculation that the sum of $30,000 was shared to Senators to secure their buy in for the Red Chamber endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proclamation of state of emergency and appointment of sole administrator in Rivers state.
Tribune Online checks revealed that the Senate through voice vote gave legislative approval to the emergency proclamation.
Speaking through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Honourable Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said his session with lawmakers on the eve of the Senate sitting to declare the fate of axed Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, was an Iftar, (breaking of fast) and not a meeting to distribute dollars.
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“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 GCON
“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.
“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.”
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE