Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political activist, Comrade Timi Frank, issued a strong call on Thursday, urging both Senators and House of Representatives members to promptly return the money they’ve improperly received from the National Assembly under the guise of “enjoyment” and “vacation” allowances.
In a statement released in Abuja, Frank emphasized that the primary responsibility of the Legislature is to enact laws that ensure order, security, and good governance in the nation, rather than exploiting it for personal gain. He questioned why these lawmakers haven’t prioritized reviewing the national minimum wage to alleviate the hardships faced by the general population amidst rising inflation, instead resorting to using taxpayer funds for personal vacations.
Frank criticized the 10th National Assembly for displaying an attitude that he described as the worst ever witnessed in the country. He asserted that these legislators seem disconnected from the harsh economic realities affecting ordinary Nigerians who elected them into office.
According to Frank, reliable sources disclosed that the “token” mentioned by Senator Akpabio is, in fact, worth millions of Naira, which rightfully belongs to taxpayers. A Senator from the Northwest zone, who confided in him, revealed that each Senator received N35 million, while principal officers got N50 million each. Similarly, House of Representatives members received N30 million, with their principal officers receiving N45 million each.
Frank applauded the integrity of a Senator who rejected his allowance, stating that he would spend his vacation with his constituents, refusing to accept such funds when his people are enduring hardships.
While Frank anticipated that Akpabio and others would deny this, he challenged them to provide evidence by publishing their bank statements to ensure transparency. Frank also challenged the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambawal, to publish the vouchers that were used to deposit these funds into legislators’ accounts.
Frank directed his criticism towards Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) for claiming to have received only N2 million for vacation. He urged Ibrahim to publish his bank statement to verify the truth of his statement.
Frank reiterated his call for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and urge the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to resign from his position. He criticized Akpabio for unlawfully and openly distributing the nation’s resources to legislators on national television, painting the legislature as the most corrupt arm of government in the country. Frank called on Nigerians to demand Akpabio’s resignation if neither the President nor Akpabio’s colleagues address the issue.
Frank lamented that, while the Federal Government is struggling with limited financial resources and urging patience from the public, Akpabio freely doled out money for enjoyment without considering the plight of workers who are advocating for an increase in their minimum wage.
In conclusion, Frank called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other affiliated unions to rise and advocate for improved salaries, wages, and welfare packages for Nigerian workers. He urged them to stand firm for the rights of the workers and prevent compromises, aiming for a living wage that genuinely addresses the needs of the workforce.