Fresh details have emerged regarding the controversial cash payments made to Nigerian lawmakers amid President Bola Tinubu’s push for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a desperate attempt at damage control, the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has denied that the funds were bribes to secure support for the emergency rule.
Investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar disclosed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Betara reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah Gesture” and not an inducement.
According to the journalist, Betara said it was part of a long-standing tradition and had nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
“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.
However, this explanation has dignified previous exclusive findings by SaharaReporters which revealed that substantial sums were handed out at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s guest house in Maitama, Abuja, to sway lawmakers in favour of the emergency rule.
Multiple sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that Akpabio’s guest house at No. 22, Yedeseram Street was the epicentre of the cash distribution. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, senators were discreetly handed stacks of dollars, allegedly as a reward for supporting Tinubu’s controversial move.
“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 confirmed.
Adding fuel to the scandal, SaharaReporters also learned that Labour Party senators Victor Umeh and Neda Imasuen played key roles in facilitating the payout despite their party’s opposition stance.
“They were the only Labour Party senators present at both events on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and participated in collecting the money,” a source disclosed.
This comes amid earlier reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allegedly provided over $3 million to Akpabio to ensure the Senate backed the emergency rule declaration. Sources told SaharaReporters that Wike and Akpabio met following Tinubu’s directive to “do the groundwork” for the emergency declaration.
The cash reportedly flowed during an Iftar dinner attended by selected senators, where varying amounts of dollars were allegedly distributed based on lawmakers’ seniority.
Despite the massive cash incentives, some prominent senators, including former governors Seriake Dickson and Aminu Tambuwal, reportedly snubbed the event.
Further intrigue unfolded last Wednesday when Senate deliberations on the emergency rule were postponed to 3 p.m., allegedly to prevent a full house from voting on the matter. According to insiders, Senate President Akpabio orchestrated the delay to ensure that opposition voices were absent when the motion was pushed forward.
“The senators requested an open vote, but Akpabio postponed it until 3 p.m. when most senators would have left the chamber,” a source told SaharaReporters.
“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.”
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and security threats, including recent oil pipeline vandalism.
However, the revelations of cash-for-support allegations raise serious questions about the move’s legitimacy and the extent of the political manoeuvring behind it.
