Cost of Governance: Nigerians fume as Akpabio announces holiday allowance for Senators
….Lament recklessness amidst groanings
…No issue if the payment is part of their entitlement — Stakeholders
…Akpabio’s statement taken out of context,work of mischief makers — Group
…Senate President names 50 APC senators, 18 PDP, 4 LP, 2 SDP, 1 APGA as committee chairmen
By Our correspondents
There was widespread outrage on Wednesday following an announcement by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that Senators in the Upper Chamber will have their account credited by the clerk of the National Assembly to enable them enjoy their holiday.
The announcement which was captured in a video which surfaced online on Wednesday, August 9, came at a time when outcries over the necessity to cut the cost of governance have become resonating, as socioeconomic conditions in the Country recently became tougher for Nigerians.
Akpabio’s announcement invoked fury on Wednesday from Nigerians who are groping with the hardship of recent socioeconomic conditions.
Akpabio made the statement before a motion of adjournment was moved at the end of the Senate’s ministerial screening.
He said, “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.”
However, alerted by some of his colleagues that the plenary session was live on television, Akpabio then made another statement in attempt to conceal what he earlier said.
In his effort to arrest situation, he said, “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.”
Nigerians angered by the announcement took to social media to lament the development, coming amidst the tough conditions in the Country which has warranted cutting cost of governance.
Uyi Samuel on Twitter said, “They keep sharing money meanwhile Nigerians are suffering this is an Act of wickedness.”
Bashiru Akanbi tweeted: “We don’t have leaders, but politicians. The earliest we recognise these men are leaches and parasites to this blessed nation the better we have a chance in moving ahead.”
Rotimi Ebenezer tweeted: “Nigerian politicians and corruption were just 5&6. He changed it when he realised he was still on national tv! God bless Nigeria.”
Reacting to the development, the Vice President of Highcap Security, Mr. David Andori, told NewsDirect that, “It is important to ascertain if the money sent to Senators for holidays is part of their entitlement. If not, it will amount to betrayal of public trust.”
On his part, the Managing Director of Apt Securities and Fund Limited, Kasimu Garba Kurfi mentioned that, probably the Senate President is new to the system, stressing that it is “business as usual” for members of the Upper Chamber.
Recall that Nigerian NewsDirect had reported that the Senate would have to call for emergency sessions to screen ministerial nominees of President Bola Tinubu, as the list of nominees only arrived at the Senate at the brink of the lawmakers’ period of embarking on their annual vacation.
In about seven days of screening process, the Upper Chamber concluded the screening of 45 out of a total 48 ministerial nominees that were sent by President Bola Tinubu.
Nigerian NewsDirect had reported how that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Abubakar Danlandi from Taraba State and former Nexim Bank Managing Director, Stella Okotete were not cleared for confirmation over security reports.
…Akpabio’s statement taken out of context,work of mischief makers — Group
Meanwhile two groups, the Ohanaeze Youth Movement and 10th National Assembly Legislative Support Group have declared that the statement credited to the Senate President was taken out of context.
The Ohanaeze group in a statement by its executive members, Nwabueze Obi, Ekwem Eucharia and Ndukaku Chris, said anyone who knows the Senate President will understand that he was just being jovial and meant no harm.
According to them, if there’s a politician who understood the plight of the people and was passionate about improving the lives of everyone, it’s Godswill Akpabio.
The group appealed to Nigerians to sheathe their swords and ignore the fire and hatred being ignited by mischief makers.
The group said, “The recent comment made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on statutory payments to federal lawmakers is being taken out of context by mischief makers who are hell bent on tarnishing the image of the parliament. Akpabio was referring to the salaries and allowances of lawmakers as espoused in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act.
“We have a man who is known for his uncommon leadership as a Commissioner, Governor, Minister and now parliamentarian. He will never make mockery of challenges being faced by Nigerians occasioned by Federal Government’s policy of petrol subsidy removal.”
The 10th National Assembly Legislative Support Group, on Wednesday, blamed mischief makers for misinterpreting Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s comments on statutory payments to federal lawmakers as vacation allowance.
Recall that the Upper Legislative Chamber on Monday concluded the screening and confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees.
Before the lawmakers adjourned plenary to September 26 to observe their annual recess, the Senate President Akpabio had while addressing his colleagues said money had been sent to them by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, to enable them “enjoy” their holidays.
Since then, the video has gone viral, with many people condemning the parliamentarians.
However, reacting to the backlash, the National Assembly Support Group in a statement said mischief makers were misconstruing the Akpabio’s statement with the aim to tarnish the image of Senators.
The group in the statement jointly signed by Umeh Faith, Kabiru Yusuf, and Fidelis Sunday, said the Senate President was referring to payment of their salaries, allowances, and accommodation fees as enshrined in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act.
Appealing to the public not to misconstrue the statement, the group added that the method of communicating the message was only jovial, which made people to interpret same out of context.
…Akpabio names 50 APC senators, 18 PDP, 4 LP, 2 SDP, 1 APGA as committee chairmen
Meanwhile, Akpabio Monday night has unveiled the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 74 Standing Committees of the Senate.
The breakdown has shown Senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are holding on to more of the juicy Committees, having 50 chairmanship positions, just as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has 18 chairmanship positions, just as only four committees are to be headed by lawmakers of the Labour Party, while the two Social Democratic Party Senators got two position and the only All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Senator, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia South got the chairmanship position for Power.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) which has two senators could not secure any Committee Chairman.
At the moment, the ruling APC has 59 Senators; the PDP has 36 Senators; the LP has eight Senators; the NNPP has two Senators; the SDP has two Senators, while APGA and the Young Progressives Party, (YPP) has one Senator each.
The Juicy and grade one Committees chaired by the APC are Committees of Appropriations, Senate Services, Interior, Defence, Army, Constitution Review, Finance, Aviation, Agriculture, Marine Transport, FCT, and Foreign Affairs.
Others are Banking, Insurance; Judiciary, Downstream Petroleum, Local, Foreign Debts, Navy, INEC, National Security and Intelligence; Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, and Privatisation, among others.
Akpabio announced that the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North in line with the tradition of the Senate, chairs the Constitution Amendment Committee; Interior is to be chaired by Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North; Downstream Petroleum, Jide Ipisagba, APC, Ondo; North; Defence, Ahmad Lawan, APC, Yobe North; Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, APC, Oyo North; Capital Market, Osita Izunaso, APC, Imo West; Establishment and Public Services, Cyril Fasuyi, APC, Ekiti North; Appropriations, Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, APC, Ogun West; andbFinance, Musa Mohammed Sani, APC, Niger East.
Others are Banking Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Abiru Adeyokunbo, APC, Lagos East; Army, Abdulaziz Yaradua, APC, Katsina Central; Cooperation and Integration NEPAD, Yau Sahabi, APC, Zamfara North, Culture and Tourism, Ishaku Elisha, APC, Adamawa North; Ibrahim Bomai, APC, Yobe South, FCT , Sani Bello, APC, Niger North, Foreign Affairs), Mustapha Saliu, APC, Kwara Central, Agriculture and Rural Development; Wasiu, APC, Lagos Central, Marine Transport.
Others are Aliyu Wammako, APC, Sokoto North, Local and Foreign Debts; Afolabi Salisu, APC, Ogun Central, ( ICT and Cyber Crime; Alli Sharafadeen, APC, Oyo South, INEC); Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, APC, Kogi Central, Local Content
Other APC lawmakers are Senators Umar Shehu, APC, Bauchi South, National Security and Intelligence; Gbenga Daniel, APC, Ogun East, Navy; Sunday Karimi, APC, Kogi West, Senate Services; Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central, Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North, Privatisation, and Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Abubakar Yari, APC, Zamfara, Water Resources, among others.
Other chairmen of Committees as announced by Akpabio are: Airforce, Godiya Akwashiki, SDP, Nasarawa North; Anti Corruption and Financial Crimes, Udende Emmanuel (PDP), Ecology and Climate change, Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West; Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto; Public Accounts, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, SDP, Nasarawa West; Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen, LP, Edo South; Diaspora and NGO, Victor Umeh, LP, Anambra Central; Drugs and Narcotics, Dankwambo Ibrahim, PDP, Gombe; Employment and Productivity, Diket Plang, PDP, Plateau; Education Basic and Secondary, Lawan Adamu Usman, PDP, Kaduna Central; Akintunde Yunus, Environment; Allwell Iheanacho; Federal Character and Governmental Affairs; Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Gas; Banigo Ipalibom PDP, Rivers, Health.
Others are Etang Williams, Petroleum Upstream; Sadik Umar, Trade and Investment and Osita Ngu, Solid Minerals; Dandutse Muntari, Tertiary Education and TETFUND; Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, YPP, Anambra, States and Local Government Affairs; Benson Agadaga, Oil and Gas Host Communities; Abdulhamid Maikori, Police Affairs; Francis Fadahunsi, Industries; Adamu Aliero, PDP, Kebbi Central, Land Transportation; Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central, National Identity and Population Commission, and Yahaya Abdullahi, PDP, Kebbi North, National Planning and Economic Affairs.
Others are Senators Mpigi Barinada, PDP, Rivers, Niger Delta; Monday Ogberu, Public Procurement, Titus Zam, APC, Benue, Rules and Business; Eze Emeka, Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Yemi Adaramodu, Youth and Sports; Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT, Women Affairs; Aminu Iya Abbas, Science and Technology, and David Jimkuta, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation.
Also listed as Chairmen of Committees are senators Ibrahim Lamido, Primary Health Care Development and Disease Control; Yemi Adaramodu, Media and Public Affairs as well as Sports and Youth Development; Musa Madobi, Legislative Compliance; Aliyu Bilbis, PDP, Zamfara Central, Communication; and Asuquo Ekpenyong, NDDC; Francis Ezenwa, NASENI.
