The House of Representatives has strongly dismissed the circulating allegations that each member was offered a bribe of up to $5,000 to approve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (Benue, APC), refuted the claims, describing them as entirely false, malicious, and originating from “the pit of hell.”
Hon. Agbese emphasized that the House’s resolution on the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, passed on Thursday, was driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to restoring lasting peace to the region.
He stated, “The accusation that members of the House of Representatives were bribed with $5,000 to support the resolution is completely unjust and unfair to Parliament. It is, indeed, very unfair. What we did on Thursday was in line with what I would describe as the wisdom of King Solomon.”
“The House of Representatives remains an independent institution guided by democratic principles, the rule of law, and the collective will of the Nigerian people. Our duty is to make decisions that align with the national interest, not to succumb to baseless distractions aimed at eroding public trust. The allegations of bribery are a desperate attempt to discredit the House and must be dismissed as the political comedy that it is.
“What the President did was like what King Solomon did when the two women who were fighting over the propriety of a child came to him. These people in Rivers, are all interested in the progress and development of Rivers State. They love the state, and they are working hard for it. But one way or the other, disagreements arose among the parties which escalated, and Mr. President, in his wisdom, decided to impose a state of emergency, for a period of time so as to allow the two parties to come together, in order to further deepen our democracy.”
He said as members of Parliament interested in the peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State, they approved the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers out of patriotism and not for any pecuniary consideration as being alleged.
“We have seen some of the developments in River State. The government is not doing badly. But what we are saying is that, we don’t want the breakdown of institutions as far as River State is concerned.
“We deployed our wisdom as a Parliament, not to pander to sentiments or views expressed by groups outside. Yes, we are a people’s Parliament. We listen to the voices of Nigerians. Of course, there are people who say the state of emergency by Mr. President is wrong. There are those who also believe that it was done in the right manner to ensure that there is peace in that state.
“As a Parliament, our interest is to form a bridge, to ensure that our democracy continues to work. As a Parliament, our interest is to protect our democracy and democratic institutions. We resolved as a Parliament to make certain amendments to the proclamations made by Mr. President.
He said the Parliament in its wisdom made some key adjustments to Mr President’s emergency proclamation before ratifying it.
“One is that, the Parliament remains the law-making body as far as the country is concerned. We resolved that the National Assembly would take over the legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly within the period of time that the state of emergency is enforced.
“Secondly, we resolved as a Parliament that it must not necessarily be for six months for the parties to come together and resolve. Even if it is within two weeks, that these parties are able to resolve their differences and show that they are on the same page, Mr. President, in his wisdom, should also reduce the period from 180 days.”
Hon. Agbese said he believes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a true democrat, will not work against democratic institutions in the country.
“We know Mr. President very well. He is a democrat. He has fought for the institutions of our democracy as far as Nigeria is concerned. And he is one man who would always want to protect this democracy. He is a President that we know as a Parliament.
“We have been relating with him as the President of the country for the past almost two years now. We have been relating with him as our President. We have seen his concerns. The 10th House of Representatives has seen the the genuine concerns and we believe and trust that if these issues are resolved in less than six months, Mr. President is going to put an end to the state of emergency in that state.”
Hon. Agbese said the House in its wisdom, equally resolved that a tri-partite committee comprising eminent Nigerians, members of the Parliament and members of the Executive Council on the other hand be constituted to ensure that the warring groups in Rivers State are brought to a roundtable and an amicable resolution is reached.
Agbese, while disabusing the minds of Nigerians over the allegations of inducements of members, blamed “fifth columnists” and oppositions, whom he said, are out to tarnish the image of the parliament.
The Benue lawmaker urged Nigerians to continue to extend the kind of support they have always extended to them, assuring that they will always work in the people’s interest as ‘Peoples’ House’.
He expressed confidence that, at the conclusion of the State of Emergency, both the Rivers State Government and the Rivers Assembly will emerge stronger, contributing to the overall progress and development of the state.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the quorum, Hon. Agbese clarified that the House met the quorum requirement, with 243 members present during the session.
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