The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take legal action against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio over the alleged payment of “holiday allowances” to senators.
In a statement on her twitter page, SERAP stated that, “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.”
SERAP is threatening to sue the Senate President on the heels of a statement made by Akpabio during a plenary session on Wednesday, when Akpabio, during a public address to his colleagues, mentioned the disbursement of “holiday allowances” by the clerk of the national assembly into the bank accounts of various senators.
The senate president, unaware of the live broadcast, said the distribution of a monetary token was a means to enable the senators to enjoy their holidays.
“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,” Akpabio said.
In the viral video, Akpabio appeared to be unaware that his statements were being broadcast live.
However, when his fellow senators informed him of the live broadcast, he quickly withdrew his statement, clarifying that the funds distributed were intended to assist the senators with a safe vacation.
“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,” he rephrased.
However, the alleged holiday allowances given to senators have raised many questions from critics about the transparency and appropriateness of such financial transactions within the legislative system.
The Senate is yet to speak on the matter at the time of filing this report.