… Decries online smear campaign by detractors
A group, Biu Forum, has condemned online campaign to discredit the House of Representative member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno state, Hon Mukhtar Aliyu Betara.
The group also raised the alarm over alleged plan to destabilise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state by tarnishing the image of its key members.
Secretary, Biu Forum, Kachallah Muhammad Umar, while addressing a press conference, in Abuja, said the attack on Betara, a loyal member of the APC by the mischief makers over his absence at the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), was setting the stage for attacks against the key party members in the state through the social and mainstream media.
Umar, who maintained that the lawmaker would never work against the interest or success of the APC, explained that Betara’s absence was occasioned by the demands of his office which was duly communicated.
The group’s spokesman further stated that the absence of the lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, must not be used to bring him to disrepute as it could cause disaffection between key party members especially at a time when the APC was focused on campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
“What happened was that there was the inauguration of the APC North East Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), the inauguration of the Committee. So, he was not present due to the exigencies of his office. You know he is the chairman, House Committee on Appropriations.
“His absence was misconstrued, making some people think he doesn’t have an interest in the party or he intentionally refused to attend the event.
“So, that’s the bone of contention. In a democracy, every person is entitled to his opinion and I am sure it is the opinion of somebody, somewhere, somehow. That is none existent. So, the general public should henceforth disregard that insinuation.”
He recalled that in appreciation of Hon Betara’s contributions his constituents had purchased the APC National Assembly nomination form for him in the run-up to the primary election.
“The voters, who raised N110 million paid N10 million for the nomination form and deployed the balance of N100 million for other campaign activities in the federal constituency,” he stated.
Blueprint reports that Betara subsequently emerged the candidate of the APC for Biu, Bayo, Kwaya/Kusar and Shani Federal Constituency unopposed ahead of the 2023 National Assembly polls.
