Member House of Representatives, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara
By Victory Oghene
The controversy surrounding the alleged Dollar- rain to members of the National Assembly regarding President Bola Tinubu’s push for a state of emergency in Rivers State has taken a worrisome note as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has denied that the funds were bribes to secure support for the emergency rule. He however maintained that the funds were for ‘Sallah Gesture’
Investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar disclosed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) 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.
It would be recalled that an online medium, SaharaReportershad reported that substantial sums were handed out at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s guest house in Maitama, Abuja, to sway lawmakers in favour of the emergency rule.
The medium said that Akpabio’s guest house at No. 22, Yedeseram Street was the epicentre of the cash distribution. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, It reported that senators were discreetly handed stacks of dollars, allegedly as a reward for supporting Tinubu’s controversial move.
“The venue was the Senate President’s guest house at No. 22, Yedeseram Street, Maitama, where 42 senators were given $10,000 each last Wednesday night, and 45 senators received $5,000 each on Tuesday night, March 18, to pass the controversial Rivers State emergency rule,” a top source confirmed had confirmed to Sahara Reporters.
While denying Sahara Reporters story, Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, clarified that he only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as “Sallah Gesture” not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.
According to him, he maintains the tradition – like… pic.twitter.com/o18kOkURKa
— Jaafar Jaafar (@JaafarSJaafar) March 23, 2025
