The Nation

Niger Delta women group asks Akpabio to resign over ‘recess allowance’ comment

August 21, 2023 10:50 am

Godswill Akpabio

A group known as the Niger Delta Women League (NDWL) has asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign from his office “with immediate effect”.

The women said Akpabio was not elected to joke with the lives of millions of Nigerians, many of whom are groaning under hardship.

The senate president recently immersed himself in controversy when he said money had been sent to the bank accounts of senators for their annual recess.

Many had also found the “let the poor breathe” remark from Akpabio, which was proposed by a senator as a prayer during a debate on a motion, offensive.

In a statement on Monday, NDWL said they are convinced that Akpabio does not understand the seriousness of his position as senate president.

“It is our solid conviction that Akpabio does not understand the seriousness of the legislative business of the senate of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, hence he has elected to joke with the fate of over two hundred million Nigerians,” they said.

“It is sufficiently clear that from his infamous ‘let the poor breathe’ misplaced joke to ‘token has been sent to your bank accounts to enable you enjoy your vacation’, Akpabio has inconsiderately and injuriously slammed the gavel on the head of every Nigerian.

“We are bleeding from his actions and he needs to leave before he kills us all.

“We call on H.E (Sen) Godswill Akpabio to honorably resign his position as president of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and drop the gavel with immediate effect.”

They said on September 26, they will stage a demonstration at the national assembly to either thank the senate or compel it to address the plight of Nigerians.

The statement was signed by;