Electing the 10TH National Assembly leadership – The Betara Factor, by Aishatu Ibrahim K. Bura
With the conclusion of the National Assembly elections, the stage is now set for the commencement of the 10th assembly. The legislators will have their work cut out for them as the executive and legislature will face a lot of issues to contend with in the next 4 years. As it happens in every clime, there are new and retuning members to the 2 legislative chambers. Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu, a member elected by his constituents for the 5th term into the Hallowed Green Chambers of the National Assembly, is one amongst several members returning. Betara, as is fondly called by friends, colleagues and well-wishers, was trained in Accounting and Business Administration and has been representing the good people of Biu/Kwaya Kusar/Bayo/Shani Federal constituency in Borno State. The Lawmaker, over the years, has been a loyal party man who always contributes to the progress of the party and the resolution of issues that come up periodically. Betara is known to be a team player and a good bridge builder. This can be attested to when one see the calibre of people that accompany him when he visits his constituency or other areas where he has projects. They are mostly individuals and colleagues from different parts of the country.
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
In the 9th Assembly, Honourable Betara served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, a very sensitive and structurally pivotal committee, whose leadership is given to the most experienced and trusted member of the House. The 56 year old Federal Lawmaker, served in the Public Service for about 20 years (1986-2006), in DFFRI and NITEL, before voluntarily leaving for active politics. Since joining politics, the enigmatic and quintessential politician has grown from strength to strength due largely to his political sagacity, organizational skills and capacity in delivering real democracy dividends to his constituency and beyond. His sojourn in the House since 2007 has seen him serve as Chairman of the Sub-committee on NDIC, Banking and Currency, member, House Committee on Interior and Chairman Sub-Committee on Customs, Immigrations and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO). From 2015 to 2019, Betara served as Chairman of the House Committee on Defence. Prior to that, he was the House Committee Chairman on the Army. As Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations since the commencement of the 9th Assembly, the Lawmaker has been central to the passage of Appropriations and the Finance Act 2022. This has ensured the January to December budget circle.
A PAN NIGERIAN
The story of the successes recorded by the Lawmaker is beyond just his Biu/Bayo/Kwaya Kusar/Shani Federal Constituency. Firstly, in that constituency, Honourable Betara has initiated and executed many projects in areas such as agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, health and human capacity development. Others include training, security, infrastructure, water supply and rural electrification. Betara has also supported the traditional institution and secured jobs to teeming youths in his constituency. The projects are so many as chronicled in numerous literature and media content. These are statutory constituency and personal projects in his constituency. Honourable Betara, in the various positions he held in his years in the national assembly, has facilitated policies that have led to the development and implementation of various projects and programmes. As chairman of various committees in the 4 terms he was in the house, he was able to liaise with the executive as well as policy implementation MDAs to execute programmes that have led to the improvement of infrastructure and the general wellbeing of Nigerians across different parts of the country. These policies, programmes and projects cut across various sectors like roads, healthcare, educational infrastructure, military and prudent fiscal financing policies, amongst several interventions too numerous to mention. These are mainly based on cooperation with the executive and key interventions he spearheaded as the chairman of the various committees in the house. The policies and programmes have led to the execution of projects in virtually all parts of the country, which benefits Nigerians from all walks of life.
DETRIBALIZED NIGERIAN!
As projects outside his Federal Constituency are so many and so is the support he gives individuals, families and groups from all parts of this Country. Betara is perhaps one of the most detribalized politicians in Nigeria today. He supports people from all walks of life, not minding their ethno-religious affiliations. For instance his longest serving aid is from Enugu state, an individual that has worked with him since the days of NITEL. While his orderly for more than a decade hails from Gashua in Yobe state. He also has Madam Rose, an office clerk from Kaduna state and Gloria Bassey, office secretary from Cross River state. In all his public and private life, Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu has been very detribalized. He sees goodwill and capacity as key factors that drive his support to individuals and groups. He never allows irrelevant factors to define his interventions and support. To him, being in the National Assembly is a trust, a call to serve and a platform to contribute to a better Nigerian Society.
RACE FOR THE 10TH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEADERSHIP
As the 10th Federal House of Representatives commences in June, many colleagues of the Lawmaker, his constituents, friends across the country and political divides have been calling for the election of Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu as the speaker of the House. This clarion call is largely directed at members of the 10th assembly who would vote come June. The call is also to the party leadership in APC, PDP, Labour, YPP, SDP, APGA and all other political parties with representation in the house. The call is also to ordinary Nigerians who should understand that with Betara on the speakers seat, a lot of progress in the art of legislation will occur. His antecedents have been seen. And at this critical point in our democratic history, we need capacity, competence, experience and positive pedigree in our political leaders- qualities that are reflected in the life and works of Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu. It is very pertinent to note that while we wait for the political calculation to commence, we look forward to the emergence of Betara as the speaker of the 10th house. His emergence will be to the glory of Nigerians. It is time to eschew myopic considerations and embrace experience and capacity. If it were to be in other climes, Honourable Betara will be having a smooth sail because of his experience and antecedents. We will reach there but we have to start now. The 10th house will need an effective and efficient leader because of the increasing complexities in our democratic journey, especially those that characterized the 2023 General Elections. The legislative experience of Betara is required to ensure successful collaboration between the Executive and the legislature, while also guaranteeing the independence of the House. The Mutual respect between him and his colleagues is the tonic and major ingredient for a successful speakership. Betara is better placed to do that based on his antecedents. So as members are getting ready to vote, they should vote right. As party leaders are horse trading, they should do it right. The Betara way, the right way!
