The Senate President Godswill Akpabio will be sued over the National Assembly Clerk’s payment of “holiday allowances” to senators, according to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
This divisive action occurs at a time when nearly 70% of Nigerians are dealing with serious economic challenges.
SERAP declared that it was suing the Senate President who had made the announcement on Monday during plenary in a brief statement on its official X handle.
“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 stated.
Akpabio’s gaffe stirred controversy across the nation, raising questions about the legitimacy and timing of such money transfers. Critics argue that when a significant portion of the nation’s population is facing economic hardship, such allowances seem both unjust and inconsiderate.
Details of the lawsuit, including the petitioners and the specific charges, are yet to be disclosed. However, the move signifies rising tension and scrutiny over the management of public funds, especially in the light of the present economic climate.