News
HoR Members Got $5k As ‘Sallah Gesture,’ Not Bribe For Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Betara Clarifies
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In an attempt to clarify, 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 corroborates SaharaReporters’ previous exclusive findings, 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 the media 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.
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
News
Sad! Man snuffs life out of his pregnant fiancée ,her 3-yr-old daughter days to wedding (Photos)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A man identified as Wealth Nnamdi has been declared wanted by the Edo State Police Command over the alleged murder of his pregnant fiancée, Osasu Loveth Isaac, and her three-year-old daughter, Miracle, in Benin City.
The incident occurred on Idiangbona Street in Ovbiogoe Community following a heated argument between the couple on March 16, 2025.
Neighbours said they were used to their frequent quarrels so did not suspect the altercation would end in tragedy.
A source in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the couple had been together for over three years after Nnamdi moved in with Osasu and her daughter from a previous relationship.
Their traditional wedding had been fixed for March 29, 2025 while the church ceremony was scheduled for April 6.
“It is heartbreaking because she was excited about the wedding. She was already pregnant for him, and they had been living together. But on Sunday, they had a serious argument. We didn’t think much of it because they usually fought,” the source said.
“When the argument stopped, we thought they had settled. But after two days, a foul smell started coming from their room. That was when we called the police.”
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident said officers from the Ekiadolor Division forced the door open after neighbours reported a disturbing odour.
“The Edo State Police Command has since commenced an investigation into the gruesome m3rder of a woman popularly known as ‘Mama Hallelujah’ and her three-year-old daughter, Miracle,” Yamu stated.
“On March 18, 2025, at about 8:30 pm, the Ekiadolor Division received a report from a concerned neighbour who complained of a strong odour coming from the deceased’s apartment.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered the room locked from the outside. When they forced it open, they found the decomposing bodies of the woman and her daughter. The woman had a deep cut on her head, suspected to have been inflicted with a machete, while the child was found lifeless on the bed.”
Yamu noted that preliminary investigations point to Nnamdi as the prime suspect, as he has been missing since the discovery.
“The suspect has gone into hiding, and the command is making all efforts to track him down and bring him to justice,” he added.
News
Annie Idibia Finally opens up On Divorce From Husband, 2face, says all battles can’t be fought in public
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian actress and reality star, Annie Macaulay has broken her silence following alleged divorce from singer, 2baba.
Some months ago, 2Baba, in a now-deleted Instagram post, announced his divorce from Annie.
He went further to announce his engagement to Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Reacting to the development, Annie gave reasons for her silence.
Her words, “Silence isn’t weakness it’s peace. Since my divorce from Innocent Idibia, I chose to step back, reflect, and heal away from the noise. The truth is, not everything needs to be explained, and not every battle is meant to be fought in public”.
“Love, pain, lessons, and growth all come with life’s journey. I have embraced mine with grace, focusing on myself, my children, and the future ahead. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words”.
See below
Nigerian actress and reality star, Annie Macaulay has broken her silence following alleged divorce from singer, 2baba.
Some months ago, 2Baba, in a now-deleted Instagram post, announced his divorce from Annie.
He went further to announce his engagement to Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Reacting to the development, Annie gave reasons for her silence.
Her words, “Silence isn’t weakness it’s peace. Since my divorce from Innocent Idibia, I chose to step back, reflect, and heal away from the noise. The truth is, not everything needs to be explained, and not every battle is meant to be fought in public”.
“Love, pain, lessons, and growth all come with life’s journey. I have embraced mine with grace, focusing on myself, my children, and the future ahead. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words”.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council members, and Principal Officers of the new Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.
“Senator Binta Garba has been appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu appoints governing council and principal officers of Federal University Iyin Ekiti; names new Pro-Chancellor for Federal University Otukpo.’
The Presidency described Garba as a seasoned politician, businesswoman and administrator who represented the Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2019 and served consecutively in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.
Other members of the Governing Council are Prof. Joseph Sanya, Mr. Efe Emmanuel, Dr. Joyce Ogunyemi, and Dahiru Ruma.
The principal officers appointed for the university are Prof. James Aribisala as Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Oluwole Dada as Registrar, Mrs. Adeniyi Ajayi as Bursar, and Prof. Isaac Busayo as Librarian.
Tinubu acknowledged the commendable efforts of Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in advocating for establishing the new university in Iyin Ekiti.
He encouraged the appointees to leverage their extensive leadership experience and commitment to steer the university toward academic excellence, innovative research, and development.
The new university will admit its first set of students in September 2025.
In addition, Tinubu also appointed Prof. Muhammed Audu as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State. He succeeds Ohieku Salami.
The Presidency described Audu as “a distinguished academic and administrator with vast experience in Nigeria’s university system.”
A Professor of Mathematics at the University of Jos, Audu previously served as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he led transformative initiatives that enhanced academic and infrastructural development.
Sad! Man snuffs life out of his pregnant fiancée ,her 3-yr-old daughter days to wedding (Photos)
Annie Idibia Finally opens up On Divorce From Husband, 2face, says all battles can’t be fought in public
Tinubu Announces Pro-chancellor, Governing Council Members For Ekiti Federal Varsity
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