- By Halimah Olamide
Statement from Nigeria’s senate president unwittingly gives citizens more reasons to hold on to belief that their elected office holders are just for themselves
Angry reactions have trailed a trending video where Senate President, Godswill Akpabio told senators that money had been sent to their various bank accounts by the Clerk of the Senate so that they can enjoy their holiday.
Akpabio, according to the video in circulation, was addressing other senators as the Senate prepared for holiday after the conclusion of the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees sent to it by President Bola Tinubu.
However, hardly had he completed his statement to the senators than he suddenly realised that he had said something not meant for public.
The senate president made his statement at a time that a live streaming was ongoing.
Quickly trying to withdraw the statement, Akpabio changed the statement and said that prayers had been sent to their emails of the senators to enjoy their holidays.
“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been by the Clerk to our various accounts by the Clerk of the National Assembly. I withdraw that statement “In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the senate president has sent prayers to your mail boxes to enjoy and return.”
Many Nigerians have expressed anger over the statement.
A former official of the All Progressive Congress Timi Frank, in a video he released on Wednesday said Akpabio must resign from his position over the statement.
He said the statement was the “biggest joke of the year.”
He went further, “He cannot continue to make mockery of our democracy and mockery of Nigerians. This is the same man who made mockery of the poor and made it very clear in the senate “Let the poor breath.”
Human rights activist and lawyer, Inihebe Effiong in his reaction, said Akpabio is one politician who believes that there is nothing money cannot achieve.
He wrote in response to the statement by Akpabio
“One of Akpabio’s fundamental beliefs is that “what money cannot do, more money can do”.
“We are going to see one of the most transactional leadership in the National Assembly in history.”