Fubara Impeachment: I Was Offered ₦5 Billion to Join the Plot – Chief of Staff
Edison Ehie, the chief of staff to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that he was offered ₦5 billion to support an impeachment move against his boss.
Bribe Allegation
Ehie made this shocking claim during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics. He stated that he had evidence of the bribe offer on his phone and had already printed and shared copies to protect himself.
“I can open my phone and show you. In early October 2023, they approached me with a ₦5 billion bribe for Fubara’s impeachment. I have the proof, and I have distributed it in case they try to harm me,” he said.
At the time, Ehie was the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He did not name those who allegedly offered him the money, but many believe he was referring to politicians aligned with former governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the FCT.
Political Tensions in Rivers State
Wike and Fubara have been in a fierce battle for control over Rivers State’s political structure. This power struggle divided the state assembly into two factions. One group, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule and consisting of 27 lawmakers, is loyal to Wike. The other, a three-member faction under Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, supports Fubara.
The Wike-backed lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to impeach Fubara. Their most recent move came on March 14, 2025, when they issued an impeachment notice against both Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Explosive Allegations and Legal Action
On Friday, Rivers State Civil Service Head George Nwaeke accused Fubara of orchestrating the bombing of the state assembly complex in 2023. He claimed that he personally witnessed Fubara giving Ehie a bag of money to carry out the attack.
Ehie denied these accusations during his TV appearance. “I had no involvement in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said. “Like everyone else, I woke up on October 30, 2023, to hear about it.”
He also announced plans to take legal action against Nwaeke for criminal libel. “I have instructed my lawyers to sue. I hope he is ready to prove his claims,” Ehie added.
Ehie further alleged that Nwaeke had approached him for financial help on the same day he resigned as head of service.
Federal Government’s Response
The crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state. As part of this move, he suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu, and all members of the state assembly for six months. Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State, citing recent unrest, including pipeline vandalism and explosions.
However, many Nigerians, as well as organizations like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the PDP Governors Forum, have condemned Tinubu’s decision, calling it unconstitutional.
