Senators get payment secretly — but Akpabio pressed the alarm, says Shehu Sani

 

In a recent revelation, former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani shed light on the discreet payment practices often employed to compensate legislators, away from the public eye. Sani's statement came in response to a recent incident involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who inadvertently disclosed to lawmakers that they had been paid to enjoy their recess.

The incident occurred on a significant day when the upper legislative chamber concluded the screening and confirmation process for President Bola Tinubu's ministerial nominees. Following the successful completion of this task, the senators adjourned their plenary session until September 26.

Addressing his fellow senators before the adjournment motion was moved, Senate President Akpabio made a surprising announcement. He shared that a sum of money had been sent to the senators' individual accounts by Magaji Tambuwal, the clerk of the national assembly, as a gesture to help them enjoy their holidays. The unforeseen twist came when Akpabio was promptly alerted by his colleagues that his comments were being broadcast on live television and captured by press cameras.

Swiftly realizing the implication of his statement, Akpabio retracted his words, stating, "I withdraw that statement." He humorously tried to salvage the situation by adding, "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."

Akpabio's unintentional admission inadvertently brought into focus the often obscured practices surrounding the allocation of funds to legislators. The salaries and allowances granted to federal lawmakers have long been shrouded in secrecy, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

In response to the incident, former senator Shehu Sani took to Twitter to share his perspective. Drawing from his own experience as a senator between 2015 and 2019, Sani humorously remarked that crediting legislators' accounts is typically executed under a metaphorical "mute button." He suggested that the Senate President's unintended slip of the tongue inadvertently activated the "alarm," momentarily unveiling a practice that is usually carried out discreetly.

The incident involving Akpabio's off-the-cuff comment underscores the complex dynamics of legislative compensation, which often remain hidden from public scrutiny. As the conversation around transparency and governance continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in ensuring openness and accountability within legislative processes.