Lawmaker denies receiving N7.6m bribe for Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers to Reps, says it was Sallah bonus

Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, a member of the House of Representatives, has confirmed that lawmakers received N7.6 million each as a “Sallah gesture.”

He denied that this payment was a bribe meant to gain support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state due to ongoing political issues and damage to oil installations.

He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all assembly members for six months.

The Senate and House of Representatives controversially approved the emergency rule on Thursday.

Reports indicated that 45 senators were offered $5,000 each on Tuesday night, and another 42 received $10,000 each on Wednesday night, just before the National Assembly’s approval. Investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar later reported that Betara, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), clarified that the $5,000 was merely a “Sallah gesture” and not an inducement.

“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.