Rivers emergency rule: Reps got $5,000 as Sallah gift, not bribe — Betara

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has dismissed claims that members of the national assembly were given $5,000 as a bribe to support the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Betara clarified that the money was a routine “Sallah gesture” shared among members of his committee and had no link to the political face-off in the oil rich state.

Recall that on Tuesday, President Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers State state, citing the prolonged political crisis and vandalisation of oil installations as reasons for his abrupt decision.

He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Dr. Ngozi Odu, his deputy and all House of Assembly members for six months.

President Tinubu subsequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.

However, on Thursday, the Senate and the House of Representatives approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule despite criticism from political stakeholders.

A report had alleged that 45 senators were offered $5,000 each on Tuesday night, while another 42 received $10,000 each on Wednesday night, ahead of the national assembly’s approval of the emergency rule.

However, investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar disclosed in a post on his official X handle that Betara reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah Gesture” and not an inducement.

According to the journalist, Betara said it was part of a long-standing tradition and had nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah Gesture’ not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.

“According to him, he maintains the tradition – like Santa Claus – every year. As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg,” Jaafar posted.

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