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
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Honarable (Alhaji) Saheed Audullahi Mosadoluwa, the Chief Executive of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited has extended birthday greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his 73rd birthday, wishing him good health and long life in order for the country to benefit from his “excellent leadership.”
In a message to mark the 73rd birthday of the President, the businessman commended Asiwaju Tinubu for making “sustained efforts to overcome the many problems of the country,” while wishing him many happy returns of the day and thanking him for creating an enabling environment for Nigerian entrepreneurs to succeed in their pursuits.”
Hon. Mosadoluwa who is also the founder of Royal Crystal Airways, New Horizon Aviation Agency, Ibile Auctioneer & Recovery and Ibile Food Security Farm City Limited in a statement issued on Saturday, was quoted as saying, “President Tinubu is a goal getter with keen interest of assembling technocrats in his team, courageous, audacious, passionate, patriotic nationalist and committed to the progress, growth, and development of Nigeria without looking back.”
The Oyo town-born businessman added, “President Tinubu’s financial wizardry and economic intellect is unparalleled and he is no doubt a grandmaster of progressive politics in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“When he came into power in 2023 his administration met Nigeria’s economic turmoil, widespread poverty, and rising unemployment, however President Tinubu impressively turned the tide by implementing bold reforms to stabilise the economy.
“The withdrawal of the unsustainable fuel subsidy and the unification of the FOREX market were pivotal steps, redirecting funds to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. These measures have reduced petrol importation to a considerable percentage and boosted investor confidence, making the Nigerian Stock Exchange the top-performing bourse globally.
“On this auspicious day Mr. President, all of us at Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited we say happy glorious birthday to you sir. May you celebrate more, in overflowing happiness and good health. Your Excellency, congratulations sir.”
News
Just in: 2025 Ramadan Fasting Ends As Sultan Of Sokoto Confirms Sighting Of Moon For Eid-el-Fitr
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad, has announced that the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan fasting has been sighted.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the Sultan made this known in a broadcast on Saturday.
The Sultan said they received reports of sighting from Borno, Zazzau, Dutse, Maru, among other places within the country.
The Sultan, who is president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSIA), said, “Today marks the end of the Ramadan fasting and Sunday, March 30, is the Eid-el-Fitri celebration”.
Details shortly….
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairperson and Convener of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’23), Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola has paid glowing tributes to the President of Nigeria, National Leader of All Progressives Congress APC and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator (Asiwaju) Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as he celebrate his 73rd birthday.
Olokode-Ayelabola, a resident of the Republic of Ireland who mobilised and campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the February 2023 presidential poll is a behavioral, developmental and child/young persons care professional, in a congratulatory massage to the septuagenarian described him as a visionary and transformative president.
She said the Nigerian leader who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, has remained a Colossus and a phenomenon in the annals of the ruling party and the nation’s political history.
Kemi also noted that the exceptional political career and service of Tinubu, has inspired so many people and has produced many successful leaders in the country.
She continued to disclose further that the APC National Leader is an icon, bridge builder and a patriotic elder statesman who believes in the development, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, I feel so elated and fulfilled to join other well meaning Nigerians across the globe to felicitate with you on your 73rd birthday. You are indeed an incredible leader with a large heart who has continued to be a major player in the Nigerian politics through your broad-minded and examplary leadership style.
“So many people owe their successes to your magnanimity and accommodating nature. You are truly a legend, an astute politician with uncommon intellect. It is my prayer that your tireless commitment to addressing governance challenges, fortifying national security, and mitigating economic hardships continue to inspire vista of hope and resilience among Nigerians”, she said.
Kemi prayed for more years in good health and wisdom for the president, to continue to serve Nigeria and humanity by extention.
-
News22 hours agoWATCH moment ex-Rivers HoS, Nweke reveals plans by Fubara to unleash mayhem before Emergency Rule (Video)
-
News13 hours agoWife ready to refund N6k dowry as husband insists I won’t accept anything less than N200k
-
News16 hours ago“Your theatrics are poorly rehearsed”- Prof Ogiri tells purveyors of video of Rivers ex-HoS wife
-
News17 hours agoYou’re truly our worthy ambassador – Body of Benchers honours Wike
-
News18 hours ago
Rivers people should thank Tinubu for declaring Emergency Rule -Ex-Rivers HoS
-
News15 hours agoBREAKING: Former Rivers HOS Nweke Calls for Independent Investigation
-
News16 hours ago
Just in: “Snub my wife’s distress call I’m very safe in Abuja ” -ExRivers HoS declares
-
News22 hours agoEFCC denies political victimisation in Achimugu probe