The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has denied allegations that lawmakers received $5,000 as an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State. He insisted that the money was merely a “Sallah gesture” to members of his committee.
Betara’s clarification was made public by investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar, who shared the lawmaker’s explanation on social media. According to Jaafar, Betara personally reached out to him to refute the bribery claims, emphasizing that distributing such gifts during festive periods is a long-standing tradition.
“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,” Jaafar posted on X.
The controversy follows reports that senators allegedly received $15,000 to endorse the state of emergency declared in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu. The declaration was made in response to political instability and security threats, including oil pipeline vandalism.
