Nigerian senate to pay senators special holiday allowance so they can enjoy the summer recess

MEMBERS of Nigeria's senate will received special payments to enable them enjoy their summer holidays after senate president Senator Godswill Akpabio promised them that the clerk of the National Assembly will send cash into their personal bank accounts for this.

Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest paid legislators in the world, despite the country having among the most numerous poor people on the planet. About 80m Nigerians live on less than the United Nations threshold of $2 a day and the country has about10m out-of-school children.

At the moment, Nigerians are going through a particularly hard time as petrol prices have increased dramatically after the government scrapped its petroleum subsidy. This created a knock-on effect in other areas, as it had an inflationary impact on food prices but despite the hardship in the country, the country's rulers continue to live large.

Senator Akpabio said: “In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the national assembly.” Shortly afterwards, he was alerted by some of his colleagues that the plenary session was live on television.

Subsequently, Senator Akpabio said: “I withdraw that statement. 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.”

Senator Akpabio's comments attracted widespread condemnation from Nigerians as they were seen as insensitive and callous. Apparently, he did not realise he was on live television when he made the comments, which is what forced him to withdraw them.