Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has dismissed allegations that he, amongst other senators received dollars to support the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State.
TheNewsGuru recalls that a viral report alleged that senators collected bribes amounting to $10,000 to approve the president’s decision to suspend the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking, Umeh, in a statement on Friday distanced himself from the allegation, clarifying that he was not among the 42 senators who collected $10,000 the previous day before the senators passed the state of emergency resolution.
The senator further stressed that, he was absent at the alleged meeting on Wednesday where $10,000 was allegedly shared to 42 senators, let alone one of the key figures that organised the event.
“I did not receive any money to support the state of emergency in Rivers State. I was not at any meeting where such payments were allegedly made,” Umeh stated.
Umeh explained that on the evening of Tuesday, he attended the traditional IFTAR (Breaking of Fasting) gathering at the Senate Guest House with their Muslim brothers and sisters, where he was asked to say the Christian prayers after Senator Adamu Aliero said the Muslim prayers after the IFTAR.
”I prayed for God to grant peace to all parts of Nigeria and reconciliation to all the warring parties in Rivers State.
“I prayed for love and for all Nigerians to embrace one another, for the good of our nation.”
“We did not discuss the State of Emergency in Rivers State at the IFTAR.”
“There were other Labour Party Senators at the IFTAR.”
Dismissing the allegations as backmail, the senator, assured his constituents that such reports would not distract him from providing good Representation, adding that the aim of the detractors was to create disaffection between him and the people and impugn his reputation.
He vowed that “I will not be distracted by their false reports, and I will continue to serve my constituents with dignity and integrity.”