Lawmakers Received $5,000 as ‘Sallah Gesture,’ Not Bribe for Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Betara

Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified that the $5,000 given to some lawmakers was a “Sallah Gesture” and not a bribe to secure support for declaring emergency rule in Rivers State. Betara made this statement through investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar, who shared the information in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Jaafar disclosed that Betara reached out to him personally to explain the situation, emphasizing that the money distributed was not intended to sway lawmakers regarding any political decisions. According to Betara, the gesture was a routine act of goodwill that he carried out annually during the Sallah celebrations.

“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,” Jaafar wrote. He further quoted Betara as saying that the act is part of a longstanding tradition, comparing it to the generosity associated with Santa Claus. Betara reportedly added a Hausa proverb to drive home his point: “As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg.”

The clarification follows public speculation surrounding the timing of the payments, especially amid discussions regarding the political crisis in Rivers State and the possibility of imposing emergency rule. Critics had suggested that the monetary gifts were part of an attempt to influence lawmakers in favor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration pursuing emergency measures in the state.

Betara’s response aims to dispel those allegations, asserting that his intentions were purely celebratory. He stressed that the money was shared as part of his regular practice during religious festivities and had no connection to ongoing political matters.

The political climate in Rivers State has been tense in recent weeks, with reports of escalating conflicts and a divided political landscape. Discussions about imposing emergency rule have sparked widespread debate, drawing attention to lawmakers’ actions and decisions. The emergence of allegations linking the $5,000 payments to the situation added fuel to the controversy, prompting Betara to set the record straight.

Betara’s explanation has drawn mixed reactions, with some accepting his reasoning and others remaining skeptical. Given the heightened political tensions, any financial transactions involving lawmakers are likely to be scrutinized closely. The situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, and the role of lawmakers in shaping the outcome remains under public observation.

Jaafar’s post has further amplified the discussion, as his reputation for investigative reporting lends weight to Betara’s statements. Nonetheless, in the politically charged environment, questions persist regarding the motives behind such financial gestures, and observers will be watching closely to see how events in Rivers State progress.