Emmanuel OchayiNigerian Activist, Timi Frank, has confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his comment that the National Assembly had disbursed funds to all senators for their annual vacation.
Frank, in a video message on Wednesday, described Akpabio’s disclosure on national television as a mockery of democracy and the Nigerian people.
He demanded Akpabio’s immediate resignation from his position as Senate President.
Frank argued that it was inappropriate for lawmakers to enjoy national resources while Nigerians were grappling with economic challenges.
During a special plenary session for screening and confirming President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, Akpabio had informed the senators that funds had been transferred by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, into their bank accounts to facilitate their annual holiday.
The senators expressed dissatisfaction with Akpabio’s revelation, prompting him to withdraw the statement and rephrase the information, stating that the Senate President had sent prayers to ensure their safe travels.
It’s worth noting that the Senate adjourned plenary until 26 September 2023 to observe its annual recess.
Frank said: “The show of shame that was demonstrated today (Monday) on a live national television where the Senate under Akpabio was telling the whole world and Nigerians that they are going on vacation, and the Clerk of the National Assembly has paid money to every account of the Nigerian Senators.
“This is the biggest joke we’ve seen in recent times, and that is the main reason why I’m making it bold and very clear that Senator God’swill Akpabio must immediately resign as the Senate President. He cannot continue to make a mockery of our democracy and make a mockery of Nigerians.
“This is the same man who made a mockery of the poor, and made it very clear in the Senate chamber by saying ‘Let the poor breathe’. Meanwhile, he was laughing because he knew they will definitely never allow the poor to breathe, they’ll continue to suffocate the poor and that is what he demonstrated today (Monday) on a live TV by sharing the resources that belong to the poor to their personal accounts.
“Akpabio has shown that since the inception of the Nigerian Senate, this is the most corrupt Senate President ever Nigerians have witnessed.
“I use this opportunity to call on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to end this joke and Nollywood act of Akpabio, that this is the time he the President must tell Akpabio to resign for this show of shame and national embarrassment, Nigerians can no longer take this in this APC government anymore.
“Nigerians have suffered too much in recent times. We did not vote our Senators to come and take money from the poor to go on vacation,” he said.
Frank also called on members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to cut off all communications with the federal government until their demands were met.
He said: “So therefore, I use this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Labour Congress to seize every discussion and communication with the federal government until the salary of Nigerian workers must be increased.”
“Nigerians can no longer bear this. This Nollywood has to end, and the time to end this Nollywood is now. So, I appeal to Nigerians to prepare for a total shutdown until Akpabio resigns as the Senate President of Nigeria,” he added.
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