Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio erred during plenary when he mistakenly revealed that money had been sent to senators to ‘enjoy’ their recess.
A video clip showing Mr. Akpabio making the mistake has gone viral on social media.
The clip appeared on Wednesday.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday after the senators concluded the selection and confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial candidates.
Subsequently, the senators adjourned the plenary session until September 26.
the error
Akpabio, who forgot the proceedings were being broadcast live, began addressing his colleagues before the adjournment motion was tabled at the end of the Senate ministerial screening.
“So that we can all enjoy our holidays, the Secretary of the National Assembly has sent a token to our various accounts,” he said.
The president of the Senate was immediately informed by his colleagues that he was speaking live on television.
Realizing the seriousness of his statements, he quickly announced his retirement.
“I withdraw that statement,” he said.
“In order for you to enjoy your vacation, the President of the Senate has sent prayers to your mailboxes to help you make a safe journey and return,” Akpabio rephrased the comment, apparently to correct what was deemed embarrassing.
The amount that was sent to the senators is unknown. However, the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly are often shrouded in secrecy.
The ‘vacation’ allowance that Akpabio said was paid to lawmakers is unknown to the law. The remuneration package approved for legislators by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMARC) has no ‘holiday’ allowance or token provision.
But legislators are entitled to recess allowance under the law, which is 10 percent of each legislator’s annual base salary, paid once a year.
It is possible that Mr. Akpabio, in his comment, referred to that ‘recreation allowance’ as a ‘holiday allowance’.
However, Nigerian lawmakers are infamous for extracting illegal allocations from public funds and increasing annual budgets to illegally enrich themselves.
ALSO READ: Akpabio returns from the Presidential Villa as senators continue to meet behind closed doors
The latest development comes amid nationwide economic hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.
last week, the Nigerian Labor Congresshe trade union congress and other affiliated unions, held a nationwide protest against the removal of the fuel subsidy and the resulting economic hardship in Nigeria.
It’s not the first time
This is not the first time that Akpabio would generate controversy in the Senate.
There was outrage last month when the president of the senate was filmed on live television ignoring the phrase “Let the poor breathe”, which Nigerians often use to criticize the country’s current difficulties.
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