Emergency Rule: “Reps got $5,000 as Sallah gift, not bribe”

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has refuted claims that lawmakers were given $5,000 as a bribe to support the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State.

Betara clarified that the money was a routine “Sallah gesture” shared among members of his committee and had no link to the political crisis in Rivers.

His explanation came in response to reports alleging that lawmakers received monetary incentives to endorse the emergency declaration.

Nigerian investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar disclosed via his X handle that Betara personally reached out to him to clear the air.

“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 wrote.

According to him, he maintains the tradition—like Santa Claus—every year.

“As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg,” he added.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced alleging that senators received $15,000 to approve the state of emergency in Rivers State.

Sources claim they were given $5,000 on Tuesday, followed by an additional $10,000 the day before voting on the matter.

The controversy follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing rising political instability and security threats, including recent cases of oil pipeline vandalism.

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