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Chairman only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as “Sallah Gesture” not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.Â
Reps Salah Jesture – Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has refuted the rumor that lawmakers were paid bribes in order to gain support for the emergency rule.
Jaafar Jaafar, an investigative journalist, said in a post on X that Betara had contacted him to clarify that the $5,000 that was provided to lawmakers was only a “Sallah Gesture” and not an inducement.
He wrote, “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 “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.”
On Tuesday, March 18, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers state due to the political crises and instability that has been plaguing the state.
Additionally, Tinubu placed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and other members of the Rivers assembly, under suspension for a term of six months.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who had previously served as Chief of Naval Staff, was also appointed by Tinubu to serve as the sole administrator for a period of six months.
On Thursday, March 20, the National Assembly adopted the proclamation and gave it its final approval.
Meanwhile, considerable funds were shared at the guest house of Senate President Godswill Akpabio in Maitama, Abuja, in an effort to persuade senators to support the emergency rule, according to Sahara.
The distribution of cash was centered in the guest home owned by Akpabio, located at number 22 on Yedeseram Street. Stacks of money were purportedly given to senators on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as an incentive for their support of Tinubu’s proposed contentious action.
IREPORT247NEW reported that President Bola Tinubu officially hosted Iftar, the breaking of the fast-during Ramadan, on Wednesday, March 12 for the leadership of the Senate.
Some senators allegedly received different sums of money depending on their seniority during an Iftar supper, when the money changed hands, according to Sahara.
“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 told Sahara.
Victor Umeh and Neda Imasuen, both senators from the Labour Party, were instrumental in arranging the compensation, despite the fact that their party was opposed to it.
Accompanying this development are claims that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allegedly paid Akpabio more than $3 million to secure Senate support for the emergency rule proclamation.
The Senate moved the emergency rule discussion until 3 p.m. last Wednesday, supposedly to avoid a full house vote, adding another layer of mystery to the situation. Senate President Akpabio deliberately delayed the motion so that no one could speak out against it, insider told Sahara.
The source said, “The senators requested an open vote, but Akpabio postponed it until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber.
“At least 72 senators are required to sign, but fewer than 60 were present today. The House of Representatives also needs a minimum of 240 votes. Meanwhile, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas was not informed, which explains the chaos in the House of Representatives today.”