Akpabio In Trouble, Could Face Impeachment Over Careless Talks

By Gideon Njoku

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is in trouble. Unless he does a lot of work to placate his Senate- colleagues, he may face a huge embarrassment when the Senate resumes sitting after their recess.

In the words of the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, Akpabio could face a “drastic action” for embarrassing his colleagues and exposing them to public ridicule and the anger of the masses.

While addressing his colleagues on the day just before they proceeded on recess, Akpabio had, on live stream,  informed them that their bank accounts has been credited with an undisclosed amount of money to enable them enjoy their vacation.

That sent tongues wagging, especially, at what the masses sensed was the insensitive behavior of the Senators while the poor  suffer. It, also,  raised speculations to high heavens as to how much each Senator received. Many speculated as high as N50m per Senator. Others said N10m per Senator.

When Akpabio realised the damage he has done to the image of the Senators and the Senate, he tried to control it by saying what he meant was that he sent prayers to them for safe trip to their holiday destinations and back. ” I withdraw that statement. In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the Senate President has sent prayers to your mail boxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”

Too late. A Senator, Ireti Kingibe, Labour Party, FCT, has since denied she received any prayers from Akpabio.

An angry Ndume, APC Borno South, warned, while speaking to the BBC Hausa Service, that Akpabio would face the wrath of the Senators. He said Akpabio’s careless revelation that each Senator  has been credited some money  for enjoyment during the recess was embarrassing.

His words: “It’s common knowledge that if any employee is going on leave, he/she is entitled to a leave grant. That was the money we received, and it is nothing unusual or special.

“All Senators received two million Naira. And I am making this comment with a heavy heart because he is the cause of this controversy.

“He created an impression as if we were given some special or huge amounts of money. What’s the big deal if I receive  two million Naira allowance in my capacity as a Senator?

“He made a very wrong statement, and I warned him immediately that his comments were unbecoming of an elder.

“In fact, we are even planning to take a drastic action against him if he continues making unguarded statements and acting as if we are kids.”