River Crisis: I didn’t receive dollar to support state of emergency – Senator Umeh

… Warns Saharareporters to stop publishing false report about him

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Victor Umeh, has debunked a report by Saharareporters claiming that he collected dollars to back emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT).

Umeh, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population, made the rebuttal in a statement warning Saharareporters to refrain from always pushing out false reports about him.

A report published by Saharareporters had indicated that Senators received bribes that amount to $10,000 to support the decision of PBAT to declare state of emergency in River State and suspend the Governor, Sim Fubara.

The online news medium likewise alleged that Senator Umeh was among the senators at the Guest House of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitami, Abuja, involved in distributing the money to their colleagues.

Reacting to the said report, he maintained that at no time did he collect money from anyone to support the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers.

Umeh, known for his integrity, rectitude and moral uprightness, said he was never present at any meeting where $10,000 was allegedly distributed to about 42 senators.

“I did not receive any money to support the approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State. I was not at any meeting where such payments were allegedly made,” Umeh stated.

The Anambra Central Senator and Labour Party (LP) stalwart explained that in the evening of Tuesday, he was in attendance at the traditional Iftar (breaking of fasting) gathering at the Senate Guest House with the Muslim brethren, where he was called upon to say the Christian prayer after Senator Adamu Aliero had said the Muslim prayer at the end of the Iftar.

He said: “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 a state of emergency in Rivers State at the Iftar. There were other Labour Party senators at the Iftar.”

The Ohamadike Ndigbo, loved by his constituents on account of his quality representation, described the Saharareporters story as mere blackmail, insisting that it did not in any way represent the truth while wondering what the news medium gain from reporting falsehood.

Umeh who has embarked on several empowerment programmes and people-oriented projects to mitigate the hardship being experienced by his constituents, gave them the full assurance that he would not allow such malicious and mischievous reports to distract him from remaining focused in his determination to provide them good representation.

He added that the motive of the detractors was to cause disaffection between him and the people he represents at the Senate and to impugn his reputation. He however said they have failed as his constituents remain steadfast in their belief in his representation and leadership.

“This is not the first time Sahara Reporters has published false information about me. It’s becoming serial blackmail, and I’m warning them to stop. I will not be distracted by their false reports, and I will continue to serve my constituents with dignity and integrity,” Umeh vowed.