Published 9th Aug, 2023

By Sodeeq Atanda

Upon the conclusion of the screening of ministerial nominees, the Nigerian Senate embarked on a recess on Tuesday, which will last until September 26.

Addressing senators on the floor of the Senate yesterday during a televised proceeding, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, told his colleagues that the Clerk of the Senate had sent some money to their “various accounts” to make their holiday exciting.

“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the Clerk of the National Assembly,” Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, said.

In disapproval of his statement, the federal lawmakers immediately reacted in chorus, probably because the statement was made on camera.

Source: NTA.

In a video clip obtained by FIJ, one senator could be heard saying “be fast, be fast”. Another senator quickly rushed to speak with Akpabio in a hushed tone.

The negative reaction of the senators forced Akpabio to withdraw his utterance and change it.

“I withdraw that statement,” he said. “In order to allow you enjoy your holiday, the Senate President has sent prayers to your mail boxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”

This has elicited criticisms from Nigerians on X (previously Twitter).

@Bethel_Anun tweeted, “What a joke of a country! Nigerian masses need to wake up and arise to emancipate themselves from this evil political class.”

@Efe_Asiwaju also wrote, “Nothing concern these ones with growth of economy or better living standard for citizens…Their major aim na to chop and clean mouth, go for vacations. Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb.”

The senators had earlier suspended their short holiday when President Bola Tinubu sent the first list of prospective ministers to the Senate on July 27.

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