The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has been threatened with legal action by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over the alleged payment of holiday allowances.
In light of the hardships Nigerians are experiencing, Akpabio was caught on camera accidentally saying that his colleagues had received a “enjoyment allowance.”
Akpabio said that the funds had been delivered to senators so they may enjoy their holidays, completely forgetting that the proceedings were being broadcast live on NTA’s network in Nigeria.
Akpabio withdrew the comment after realizing he was being shown live on television.
“As soon as Senator Umahi takes his oath of office, we shall rearrange the office of the leadership. 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,” he said.
Reacting, the group said Akpabio would be dragged to court for such a payment while Nigerians face severe economic hardship.
Tweeting, SERAP wrote:
“BREAKING: We’re suing the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the alleged payments of “holiday allowances” by the Clerk of the National Assembly into the “various accounts” of senators while some 137 million poor Nigerians face severe economic hardship.”