ABUJA, Nigeria — Senate President Godswill Akpabio is facing backlash after inadvertently revealing that funds had been distributed to his colleagues “to enjoy your holiday”, a comment he made live on camera during a Senate session on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Akpabio’s slip came as he was outlining plans following Senator Umahi’s anticipated oath of office.
The revelation has caused a furor, particularly given the country’s current economic strain due to a sharp rise in fuel prices following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media and other platforms to voice their outrage, seeing this as another instance of leaders living luxuriously while asking the general population to make financial sacrifices.
This incident is not the first controversy for Akpabio since assuming the Senate presidency.
He was embroiled in a public outcry only a month ago after a comment he made on live TV, referencing President Bola Tinubu’s infamous “Let The Poor Breathe” remark.
The Senate president’s media office attempted to clarify the matter, but public anger persisted.
This latest “enjoyment allowance” saga, coupled with the preceding controversies, puts Akpabio’s leadership and the Senate under intense scrutiny, further eroding trust in an already skeptical public.
The disparity between the provisions made for lawmakers versus those for flood-affected farmers has further deepened this divide.
The government’s decision to increase the cost of fuel, which has almost tripled since the new government’s inception in May, combined with these recent controversies, paints a picture of a nation grappling with economic hardships while its leaders appear out of touch with the everyday struggles of their constituents.
Nigerian Senate Confirms 45 of President Tinubu’s 48 Cabinet Nominees
On Monday, August 7, 2023, the Nigerian Senate confirmed 45 out of 48 cabinet nominees proposed by President Bola Tinubu, bringing to a close a week of rigorous vetting for some and brief introductions for others.
After an exhaustive series of voice votes, Senate President Godswill Akpabio approved all but three of the nominations.
The pending candidates include former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Stella Okotete of Delta State, and Abubakar Danladi from Taraba State, whose security clearances are reportedly under review.
The Senate’s confirmation arrives more than a week after President Tinubu submits a 28-member list to the red chamber on July 27, 2023.
The subsequent screenings saw a cavalcade of prominent figures, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Abubakar Kyari of Borno State, as well as delegates from states like Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, and Jigawa.
Tuesday’s review included a slew of ex-governors such as Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and continued Wednesday with figures like Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, and Muhammad Idris.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu issued a supplementary list of 19 nominees last Wednesday, only to recall the nomination of Maryam Shetty of Kano State two days later.
Shetty was replaced with Festus Keyamo and Mariya Mahmoud.
The final stretch of screenings, spanning Friday to Monday, August 7, 2023, featured a diverse range of nominees, concluding with Mahmoud and Keyamo.
The rigorous, comprehensive nature of the confirmation process underscores the Nigerian Senate’s commitment to careful oversight in forming President Tinubu’s cabinet.
Now, the nation’s eyes are on the pending candidates, their upcoming confirmations and the impact of the newly assembled team on the course of the Tinubu administration.
