Emergency rule: Reps got $5,000 as ‘Sallah gesture,’ not bribe – Betara

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified that he shared $5,000 with members of his committee as a “Sallah gesture” and not as an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.

A Nigerian investigative journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, disclosed this in a post on his X handle.

Jaafar said Betara explained this to him after the lawmaker reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah gesture” and not an inducement.

According to the investigative journalist, Betara said it was part of a long-standing tradition and had nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Jaafar wrote:

“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.

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

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

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... pic.twitter.com/o18kOkURKa

— Jaafar Jaafar (@JaafarSJaafar) March 23, 2025

DAILY POST reported that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and security threats, including recent oil pipeline vandalism.

However, several reports claimed that senators received a $15,000 bribe to endorse the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The rumors alleged that the senators received $5,000 on Tuesday and then $10,000 on Wednesday, the day before they voted on the proclamation.