Investigative journalist Jafar Jafar says Reps members collected $5,000 each to endorse Rivers State of Emergency

Publisher of the Daily Nigerian Jafar Jafar, who became famous for publishing a video showing then-Governor of Kano State and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje stuffing dollars in his flowing gown, has alleged that three House of Representatives members confirmed to him that only $5,000 (N7.5 million) were given to lawmakers to endorse the Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

Two newspapers, Peoples Gazette and Sahara Reporters, reported that lawmakers took $25,000 (N37 million) to endorse the emergency rule.

But Jafar Jafar said three lawmakers told him $5,000 was offered to lawmakers to make the decision.

He said via his X handle: “A disturbing aspect of the ratification of the emergency rule in Rivers State by the NASS is that members of the House of Reps mortgaged their conscience for a pittance. Three members of the House of Reps confirmed to me that those who voted got $5,000 each – not even the reported $25,000. Instructively, the greenback envelopes were allegedly brought by the chairman of the House Committee on FCT.”

Lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the Emergency Rule announced by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State despite legal arguments that the president lacks the power to suspend the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor and all the lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.