Federal Constituency: BETARA, a revolution of historical proportion in Borno

Federal Constituency: BETARA, a revolution of historical proportion in Borno

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri

Members of the House of Representatives, particularly seeking another term, are beginning to look back on their records of stewardship to the electorates for personal assessments. Borno state, despite the continuous security challenges is no doubt one of the states carrying out such assessments among ten members representing Federal Constituencies across the state.

The Member representing Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani and Biu, Hon Muktari Betara Aliyu is not leaving anything behind in his assessment of developmental stride. As he is beginning to evaluate how his representation has affected the common people within his jurisdiction and possibly beyond.

Every sectoral touch is opening a testament of his effort to give his constituency a new look. If one asks the people or a politician with an incline political thought towards the activities of Hon. Betara Aliyu today, their answers may pass a wrong judgement more especially if their names are to be used owing to the fact that they have been very close to him and their judgement may be said to be over rated of the man’s achievements.

Many also within the APC fold today may not totally agree that, Hon. Betara Aliyu has not given the people of his constituency the desired dividends of Democracy in the last almost three years as expected because their feelings may be that a lot has been exaggerated. But pictures and testimonies from the people are facts to his many achievements, possibly this piece may not be mentioned.

Political detractors and merchants who trade in negative presentations have made a lot of comments regarding his activities where he is representing. But the people’s hopes and expectations were not in conflict with the belief that Hon. Betara had the capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy to consolidate and even surpass their imaginations.

Of course, today, their hope is not lost. More than two years into his third count as the people’s representative, the people were left in total amazement and utter disbelief of happenings around their trusted representatives. Some even imagined how he was able to make it happen.

Since elected into the House of Representatives, the people said, they have gained hope in his style of representation, a reason why they go for him again and again and will continue as the state looks into another round of election come 2023.

The political atmosphere is tense and no politician is taken for granted in the wrestling for a political seat, but while others’ track records are beginning to fail them, others seem very comfortable because their records are speaking volumes. Hon. Betara Aliyu is one of those whose records of achievements is speaking at every political corner across his constituency despite efforts by political brokers trying to sell stories suggesting tough political engagement in 2023 for Bayo, Kwaya-Kusar, Shani and Biu federal constituency.

Speaking to NEWSng, Adamu Mohammed, a politician and supporter of the APC administration in the state said, “We believe that the electoral fortunes of the APC in the State have opened our eyes to realities we never thought were possible. We are seeing the replica of achievements by Hon. Betara as we are witnessing with our governor. Biu. Kwaya-Kusar, Shani and Bayo Federal constituency is lucky to have a man like Muktari Betara as their representative. He is making a historical difference and his revolution is unique to others in the state.”

He said, one would have thought that Betara would have found himself to be toes left, right and centre by the very people he loved and chose to listen to, as his mind molded on political judgement. But he happened to be focused.

“These are also the very people who are denying the privilege to give the people the dividends of Democracy in the past. No thanks to them. But he did not allow them to play with his mind and the result is practically unequal in the record of representation in Borno state.” He said

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Going through some of his records of achievements NEWSng reports that there is no mistake as to why the people have resolved to continue with Betara as their representative in the last 14 years at the green chamber. Indeed one therefore, is left to wonder where and on what are others going to hinge as they seek people’s approval for another chance come 2023.

Speaking with a senior government official, who prefers not to be mentioned, said, “There is no doubt about Betara’s achievements. The governor mentioned it, the Emir is talking about it and so also market women, elders across the constituency and youths. The achievements are there for everyone to see; from support for the health sector, the education sector, provision of portable drinking water, road development projects as well as the other sectors of our developments. These of course are the areas he was able to touch on the lives of the common man.”

Speaking on how Betara was discovered and supported to represent the people, Istifanus Mwada, a resident of Biu told NEWSng that Betara had been a philanthropist before he joined politics. According to him, it was his philanthropic activities as a private citizen that informed his call to be the people’s representative in the first place. “You know people are keen watchers of every activity of an individual so they found him worthy of trust and given the support. That was how Betara became a politician and ended up at the National Assembly. Since then, the people of Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani have never regretted having him as their representative.” He said

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“Today, one of much talked about of his recent activity was his contact with a stranger in one of his numerous visits to his constituency, who made a case for a friend, whose wife had a kidney-related disease and who desperately needed a transplant.

“The transplant was to be carried out in India. Betara asked for the particulars of the said lady. A month later, the lady, Hajia Fatima, and her husband travelled to India for treatment, all-expense paid by Betara. There are numerous such medical interventions, both within the country and outside our shores, which Betara has had to undertake regularly.” Another resident of Biu revealed.

“There was also a case of Mallam Alkali Abubakar, a peasant farmer in Biu with five children. His daughter, Sadaatu, 19, wanted to study medicine. Abubakar, unfortunately, could not afford the expenses required of the course. He sought the assistance of the state scholarship board, which unfortunately had exhausted the entries for that session. Betara got wind of it, called Abubakar and took over the payment of fees. She is presently studying medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, at the expense of Betara.

“Another beneficiary of his kindness was Ali Bukar, 36, who presently works with one of the banks in Maiduguri. He graduated in 2013. He met Betara by chance. He explained his joblessness even after graduating. He sent his particulars to him as requested. Two and half months later, he was employed as a cashier.” Ibrahim Habib said

“Betara built and donated more than 20 well-equipped health care centres. He donated more than 600 solar-powered street lights to the three local government areas. He facilitated the construction of a major roads network in Biu and another three linking villages within the constituency. He built a mini stadium in Shani District. He upgraded Biu Emirate to a modern palace, built Islamic schools, and renovated mosques in Biu.

“At one point, he was donating a trailer load of motorcycles to his constituency every quarter. He stopped when it was banned as a means of transportation because of the insurgency. He promptly replaced it with tricycles, and distributed more than 500 units and many more”. Hajya Hadiza Usman said

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NEWSng reports that with over 3,000 job opportunities credited to him, not only within his constituency, but also to people of Borno State extraction, Hon. Muktari Betara Aliyu could be described as the changing pacesetter of modern democracy in Borno state.