What Nigerians are saying about Akpabio’s ‘money sent to senators to enjoy recess’ comment
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is currently a subject of discussion on most social media platforms over his mistaken disclosure that money had been sent to his colleagues “to enjoy your holiday”.
The Senate President made the statement in confidence unknowing to him that the proceeding was being captured on live camera.
“As soon as Senator Umahi takes his oath of office, we shall rearrange the office of the leadership.”
“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,” he said.
Realising what was at stake, a senator rushed to him to make him realise that he was on air.
In his response, Akpabio 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.”
NewsClick Nigeria could not independently verify the amount sent to the lawmakers as at press time.
However, the development comes amid the nationwide hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to the price of fuel hitting N613 per litre from N197 per litre when the new government came in at the end of May.
Nigerians are currently reacting to the video, lamenting how the leaders asked the masses to make sacrifices while they carry on with extravagance.
When President Bola Tinubu forwarded a bill to amend the 2022 Supplementary Act to the National Assembly, N70 billion was approved to “support the working conditions” of new lawmakers.
While N19 billion was approved for farmers who suffered the devastating effect of the 2022 floods across the country.
The “enjoyment allowance” saga is one of the controversies that have rocked Akpabio’s senate presidency, which is just few months.
In July, there was outrage after Akpabio was captured on live TV joking about “Let The Poor Breathe”, a phrase that became popular after an interview granted by President Bola Tinubu.
See reactions below:
Senate President Godswill Akpabio Tells Senators Money Has Been Sent To Their Accounts To Enjoy Holiday.
So they will enjoy holiday while masses are suffocated ??? pic.twitter.com/aRYLWpUnSA
— Comr. Abiyos Roni. (@AbbaM_Abiyos) August 9, 2023
Godswill Akpabio is a disgrace. He didn’t realise he was on Live TV when he said that a token has been sent to the senators accounts for their holidays. Situation of the country doesn’t concern them. They just want to steal money. God punish anybody supporting this government ?
— Chlorpheniramine (@VictorIsrael_) August 9, 2023
Senator Bulkachuwa openly said on the senate floor that he prevailed on his wife, who was appeal court president at the time, to rule cases in favour of his "colleagues."
Nigerians kept quiet & it has passed.
Today, the senate president, Godswill Akpabio, mistakenly let out on…
— KWEKU THE HUSTLER, COMMANDER OF THE HEADLESS MOB (@urchilla01) August 9, 2023
Defenders of Godswill Akpabio (Akwaibom state chapter) have been too quiet. Arise and defend your own. Akwaibom ronu ?
— Esther Umoh (@EstherUmoh10) August 9, 2023
Godswill Akpabio is out here sending money to his fellow senators to 'enjoy' as the hardship level keeps skyrocketing in Nigeria. You can't write the script for what is unfolding in this country.
Such a disgrace.
Terrifying J Niger Junta pic.twitter.com/dJDKXPW03P
— Everything Everything (@Iamsamdan) August 9, 2023
Godswill Akpabio is an embarrassment of monumental proportions
This is the kind of structure of criminality Obi has been saying he will dismantle
These guys don’t care about people’s suffering, all they want is to loot
Again, no politician in Nigeria is as humane as Obi!
— Pearls (@MissPearls) August 9, 2023
Senator Godswill Akpabio is most definitely going to be the WORST ever Senate President in Nigeria’s history.
His Achievement so far;
– Making fun of Nigerian's hardship with the “Allow the poor breathe” joke.
– Rubber stamping Tinubu’s controversial ministerial list without… pic.twitter.com/uT09VBR1QZ— SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) (@Sports_Doctor2) August 9, 2023
I hope all Nigerians and APC Supporters have seen how God exposed the wicked and looters.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his Vultures.
Save this video please they will all payback our stolen funds.Keep retweeting
Binance Port Harcourt pic.twitter.com/CIV3yMqt3m— Sen. Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed (Youths) (@YDBabaAhmed) August 9, 2023
“In order for us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the Clark of the National Assembly.” —Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate.
He didn’t realize he was still on a live TV, they are suffocating the poor with suffering and… pic.twitter.com/BgyvdPtX3U
— Jaypee (@JaypeeGeneral) August 9, 2023
