Akpabio mistakenly announces senators’ ‘holiday allowance’ during plenary

<p>It is not clear how much was sent to each lawmaker as holiday allowance as Akpabio did not disclose the amount before he realised his gaffe.</p>, <span>Senate President Godswill Akpabio Tope Brown</span>, <h2>Senate President, Godswill Akpabio ate his words after he mistakenly disclosed that money had been sent to senators to enjoy their holiday.</h2>, <p>Akpabio probably forgot that the plenary was being televised when he made the statement.</p>, <p>He said, “As soon as Senator Umahi takes his oath of office, we shall rearrange the office of the leadership.”</p>, <p>“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.”</p>, <p>When his colleagues alerted him that the plenary session was being recorded, the Senate President withdrew his statement about the token sent to them for their holiday.</p>, <p>“I withdraw that statement,” 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,” he added.</p>, <p>It is not clear how much was sent to each lawmaker as holiday allowance as Akpabio did not disclose the amount before he realised his gaffe.</p>, <p>This is coming at a time Nigerians are calling on the Federal Government to reduce the costs of governance in solidarity with the people who bear the brunt of the government’s policy on fuel subsidy.</p>, <p>The removal of the fuel subsidy in May has led to an increase in the pump price of petroleum from ₦185 to over ₦500 per litre.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, Akpabio’s gaffe has become a topic on social media as Nigerians wonder why the political leaders want the masses to sacrifice for the betterment of the country while they spend the country’s resources without caution.</p>