Senators to take drastic action against Akpabio over utterances – Senate Chief Whip

Ali Ndume, the Senate Chief Whip, has announced that Senators are contemplating significant measures against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for mistakenly disclosing that a ‘holiday allowance’ credited to senators’ bank accounts.

On Monday, prior to the Senate’s adjournment for its annual recess, Akpabio informed his colleagues that funds had been dispatched to their accounts to facilitate a ‘holiday enjoyment’. He later retracted his statement and instead sent prayers for a safe journey and return via email.

Akpabio’s comment prompted criticism from the public, accusing the senators of exploiting the nation’s resources. This controversy led some lawmakers to clarify that they had received a modest sum of N2 million as a leave allowance, rather than an extravagant amount.

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Senator Ndume placed blame on Akpabio’s public disclosure for the unwarranted backlash against the senators. Ndume explained that the N2 million allowance was a standard leave grant, a customary practice when employees take leave.

He expressed his frustration, saying, “Receiving a N2 million allowance in my capacity as a senator is not a big deal. He (Akpabio) made a very misleading statement, implying that we were given special or substantial amounts of money. I cautioned him immediately about the inappropriate nature of his comments.”

Ndume further conveyed, “In fact, we are currently contemplating significant actions against him if he persists in making careless statements and treating us as if we are children.”

The situation has highlighted the need for clear communication and responsible conduct within the Senate, as well as the potential consequences of misrepresenting facts to the public.