There was amazement on the faces of all at the Senate on Wednesday as President Godswill Akpabio said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was “honoured and buried” when he was meant to refer to late President Muhammadu Buhari.
A visibly confused Akpabio had immediately rephrased what he was saying by correcting himself to mention Buhari instead of Tinubu.
“The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner in which President Bola Tinubu was honored and buried.” he said.
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Akpabio had, in the past made similar mistakes during his speeches at the National Assembly.
He was reported to have During a Senate plenary on July 18, 2024, rebuked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking without being recognized, saying, “Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a nightclub.”
The comment was widely criticized as sexist, sparking outrage on social media for denigrating female senators. Akpabio later apologized, claiming no intent to degrade women.
Also, in August 2023, during a televised Senate session, Akpabio announced that the Clerk of the National Assembly had sent money to senators’ accounts to “enjoy their holiday.”
When he was reminded that the session was live, he attempted to retract the statement, saying “prayers” had been sent to their mailboxes instead.
This slip fueled perceptions of corruption and insensitivity, as it suggested public funds were being casually distributed.