A group of concerned stakeholders in Anambra State has accused Labour Party Senators Victor Umeh and Neda Imasuen of allegedly accepting $10,000 each to support President Bola Tinubu’s proposed state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by Chukwuebuka Ekpechi on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Anambra Central, the group alleged that both senators received $5,000 each at a private Iftar Prayer event hosted at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s Maitama Guest House. They claimed that the meeting was strategically planned to ensure backing for the controversial emergency rule proposal.
The stakeholders criticized Senator Umeh for allegedly misleading the public with his denial of the claims. They insisted that Umeh and Imasuen were the only Labour Party lawmakers present at the Wednesday night meeting where the alleged bribe was offered. According to them, both senators pledged their support at the gathering and later upheld their commitment during a closed-door Senate session.
“We challenge Senator Victor Umeh to name any other Labour Party senator who attended the Wednesday night meeting or took part in the executive session on Thursday,” the statement read.
Additionally, the group questioned Umeh’s shifting political stance, pointing out his recent support for APC-led policies. They highlighted his endorsement of the fast-tracked approval of the new National Anthem Bill and his frequent appearances on TVC, AIT, Channels TV, and Arise TV, where he reportedly justified Senate decisions that lacked public transparency.
Expressing deep concern over Senator Umeh’s alleged actions, the stakeholders declared:
“We will not sit idly by while Senator Umeh betrays the trust of the people who elected him.”
Their allegations align with a recent Sahara Reporters publication, which claimed that some senators received large financial incentives to support the emergency rule.
