Mr Frank criticised the conduct of members of the National Assembly and challenged them to publish their bank statements to reveal what they got as allowance.
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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has tasked Members of the National Assembly to promptly refund the alleged ‘vacation’ allowances they received ahead of their recess.
Emphasising that the core responsibility of the legislature is to establish laws for national governance and security rather than misusing public funds, he also raised concerns over the failure of lawmakers to address the country’s minimum wage during a period of rising inflation while indulging in lavish expenditures.
This followed his allegations in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday that the funds were illicitly obtained.
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According to him, an investigation revealed that each Senator received N35 million while Principal Officers in the Red Chamber got N50 million each. Similarly, the House of Representatives members were paid N30 million each, and their principal officers received N45 million each respectively.
The former APC Chieftain, in his criticism of the alleged conduct by the 10th National Assembly, stressed that such worsens the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. He further noted that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the distribution of “tokens” by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) to the lawmakers (which he believes amounts to millions of taxpayer naira) for their annual recess.
He equally challenged Senator Jimoh Ibrahim following his claim that he received only N2 million and other lawmakers to make their bank statements public as a way of ensuring transparency.
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Furthermore, he called on President Bola Tinubu to request the resignation of the Senate President due to his involvement in the open distribution of national funds, which according to him, tarnished the reputation of the parliament.
Urging Nigerians to take action against Akpabio’s behaviour should the President or his colleagues not respond, Timi Frank also appealed to Organised Labour to advocate for improved wages and safeguard workers’ rights.
“Amidst financial constraints faced by the Federal Government, Akpabio’s actions drew criticism for allocating funds for leisure while neglecting wage increases for workers,, he asserted.
2 comments
EDI JACKSON
August 14, 2023 at 11:47 am
Akpabio was merely being transparent and should be commended for informing and or, confirming to the public the action of the Clerk of the Senate concerning Senate’s recess or leave allowances which as it were reflects Senator’s entitlements and NOT an Akpabio’s creation or an allocation to himself. Until it is proven otherwise, the Senate did no wrong.
EDI JACKSON
August 14, 2023 at 11:49 am
Akpabio was merely being transparent and should be commended for informing and or, confirming to the public the action of the Clerk of the Senate concerning Senate’s recess or leave allowances which as it were reflects Senator’s entitlements and NOT an Akpabio’s creation or an allocation to himself. Until it is proven otherwise, the Senate President did no wrong.