The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district, Senator Victor Umeh, has warned Sahara Reporters to desist from “acts of serial blackmail” against him or face legal action.
He was responding to allegations made by the online news site to the effect that he received dollars to support the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Sunday – yesterday, March 23 – Umeh, who denied the report, noted that this was the third time the outfit had published a false report about him.
The Senator explained that he did not receive any money to support the approval, by the Senate, of the state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting that he was not present at the alleged meeting on Wednesday where $10,000 was allegedly shared to each of the 42 Senators said to have been present at the meeting, let alone being one of the key figures that organized the event.
“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 said
He further 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 sister, where he was asked to say the Christian prayers after Senator Adamu Aliero had said the Muslim prayers at the conclusion of 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,” Umeh stressed, describing the Sahara Reporters’ story as a blackmail, which does not represent the truth.
He 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.
“This is not the first time Sahara Reporters has published false information about me. It’s becoming a 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 declared.
