Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has addressed allegations surrounding the distribution of $5,000 to members of his committee. Betara clarified that the funds were shared as a gesture of goodwill to mark the Sallah celebrations and not as a bribe to influence decisions regarding the proposed emergency rule in Rivers State.
The controversy arose after Nigerian investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar brought the matter to public attention through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Jaafar’s revelation sparked widespread speculation about the intent behind the monetary distribution, with some questioning whether it was an attempt to sway opinions within the committee.
In his statement, Betara firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the funds were purely a festive token. “The $5,000 I shared with my colleagues was a Sallah gift, a tradition of goodwill and celebration during this festive period. It was not, and should not be misconstrued as, an inducement related to the Rivers State emergency rule discussions,” he stated.
The Rivers State emergency rule proposal has been a contentious issue, drawing significant attention and debate within the House of Representatives. Betara’s clarification aims to dispel any doubts about the integrity of his actions and the committee’s deliberations.
As the story continues to unfold, Nigerians are closely watching the developments, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the nation’s legislative processes.
