Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central has denied claims that he accepted $10,000 to support President Bola Tinubu’s alleged plan for a State of Emergency in Rivers State. He called the accusations baseless and insisted that no money exchanged hands.
No Financial Inducement or Secret Meeting
In a statement on Friday, March 21, Umeh clarified that he never attended any meeting where lawmakers received cash, whether in naira or dollars, to approve the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He explained that he only attended an Iftar (breaking of fast) gathering at the Senate Guest House. During the event, he was asked to give a Christian prayer, while Senator Adamu Aliero led a Muslim prayer.
“I did not accept any money to approve a State of Emergency in Rivers. No one paid me, and I was not part of any such discussion,” Umeh said. “At the Iftar, I simply prayed for peace in Nigeria and reconciliation in Rivers State.”
Calls Out Media for False Reporting
Umeh dismissed reports linking him to the alleged bribery, stressing that the event had nothing to do with the Rivers crisis.
“This is not the first time Sahara Reporters has spread false information about me,” he stated. “Their repeated blackmail must stop. I will not let these false claims distract me from serving my constituents with integrity.”
The controversy comes amid rising political tension in Rivers State, but Umeh insists he had no involvement in any financial deal related to the situation.
