AS NIGERIANS FACE UNTOLD HARDSHIP, AKPABIO’S UNCOMMON “HOLIDAY ALLOWANCE” STIRS ANGER

No doubt, Senate President Godswill Akpabio did not foresee the firestorm he was going to unleash.

Forgetting that the proceeding of the Red Chamber was being captured on live camera at that moment, the senate president spoke confidently:

“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,”

That was a big indiscretion. The Senate chamber went into a frenzy. Akpabio, who looked confused, tried to undo the damage. In shaking voice, he said: “I withdraw that statement. In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the senate president has sent prayers to your mailboxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”

But the damage had already been done. Like a bullet that cannot be recalled once released, Akpabio’s attempt to change the narrative came late.  He had clearly bitten more than he could chew.

Colleagues and other Nigerians alike couldn’t be moved by that detour. That was one “uncommon” statement too many. Senators were embarrassed, the long-suffering Nigerians outraged.

In the wake of that gaffe by the Senate president, the country’s vibrant rumour mill has been awash with speculations over the quantum of the token (sorry, “prayer”), that the Senate’s prayer warrior sent to their “mailboxes”. Nigerians were particularly incensed by some unsubstantiated and possibly false social media reports that each of the Senators received N30 million while the principal officers received N50 million each.

One of the longest serving members of the Red Chambers, the usually outspoken former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has reportedly threatened that something akin to a reprisal could be taken against Akpabio for having the temerity to disclose that Senators received the “recess allowance” put at N2 million each.

The True Vision’s CityScope crew of Janet Marcus, Halimat Arome and videographer …fanned out into the city of Abuja to get the opinion of the citizens on Akpabio’s earthshaking “uncommon” revelation.

Some say that senators forget why they are really in the Senate; and that rather than being there for the people, their conduct shows that they are there for their selfish reasons and to fill up their personal accounts.

The consensus of opinion is that the Senate has a lot of work to do; that instead of preoccupying itself with the personal interests of members, it should make the citizens its number one priority; in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people.