Nigerian Lawmakers Allegedly Receive $25,000 Bribe to Support Rivers Emergency Rule

By Our Correspondent

A bribery scandal has rocked Nigeria’s National Assembly as lawmakers allegedly received cash inducements to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial emergency proclamation in Rivers State.

According to an Independent Mirror report, at least eleven lawmakers—seven senators and four House of Representatives members—confirmed separately that they were offered up to $25,000 each to back Tinubu’s invocation of Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. The emergency measure sought to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers while imposing military rule for six months.

Bribery Allegations Surface Amid Lawmaker Resistance

A lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Gazette that members of the National Assembly were reluctant to attend parliamentary proceedings amid the controversy.

“Some lawmakers, especially those from Borno, received direct messages from their governors advising them not to support the emergency rule in Rivers,” the lawmaker revealed.

At an executive session of the House of Representatives on Thursday morning, only 113 out of 360 members were present, falling short of the 120-member quorum required to proceed.

Faced with a possible rejection of the emergency rule, sources disclosed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other key allies of the president allegedly coordinated cash inducements to sway lawmakers’ votes.

In separate interviews with 14 lawmakers across both chambers, 11 confirmed receiving offers of financial incentives.

Seven lawmakers said they were paid $25,000 each between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Four others reported receiving $15,000 each within the same period.

Two lawmakers claimed they were approached but rejected the offers.

The only lawmaker who outrightly denied receiving any offer was Senator Seriake Dickson, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a vocal critic of the emergency rule.

Payments Made at Different Locations

The lawmakers disclosed that the alleged bribes were distributed at various locations in Abuja, though they could not verify whether all payments came from the same source.

“The first offers came in around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday,” one senator stated, adding that presidential aides and legislative allies were actively seeking votes to ensure ratification of the emergency rule by Thursday afternoon.

Controversial Proclamation Sparks Outrage

President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, citing escalating political tensions between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike. As part of the proclamation, he appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Etuk Ekwe Ibas as administrator for six months.

The move triggered widespread outrage, with constitutional experts and civil society groups branding it illegal and a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy. Critics argue that Section 305 does not empower the president to remove a duly elected state government.

National Assembly Struggles to Secure Quorum

Under Nigeria’s Constitution, the president must secure National Assembly approval within 48 hours for an emergency declaration to remain valid. However, obtaining such approval has proven challenging due to low attendance and opposition from lawmakers.

On Wednesday—the first opportunity for a parliamentary vote—attendance was far below the required numbers:

In the House of Representatives, only 80 out of 360 members were present—40 members short of the 120 needed for a quorum.

In the Senate, attendance was similarly low, making it difficult to reach the constitutional threshold of two-thirds approval (240 House members and 73 Senators) required to ratify the emergency rule.

What’s Next?

With lawmakers divided and allegations of bribery swirling, the fate of the Rivers State emergency rule hangs in the balance. If the National Assembly fails to ratify the declaration within the constitutional timeframe, Tinubu’s proclamation could be rendered null and void.

Opposition figures, legal experts, and pro-democracy activists are already gearing up for a court challenge, setting the stage for a major constitutional showdown in the coming days.