The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified that he shared $5,000 with members of his committee as a “Sallah gesture” and not as an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.
A Nigerian investigative journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, disclosed this in a post on his X handle.
Jaafar said Betara explained this to him after the lawmaker reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah gesture” and not an inducement.
According to the investigative journalist, Betara said it was part of a long-standing tradition and had nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Jaafar wrote:
“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 with each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah gesture,’ not as an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.
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“According to him, he maintains the tradition—like Santa Claus—every year.
“As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg.”
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and security threats, including recent oil pipeline vandalism.
However, several reports claimed that senators received a $15,000 bribe to endorse the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The rumours alleged that the senators received $5,000 on Tuesday and then $10,000 on Wednesday, the day before they voted on the proclamation.
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