NEWS
Critics Slam Akpabio For Senators’ ‘Holiday Allowance’ Statement
Nigerians are criticizing Senate President Godswill Akpabio after he revealed in a video on Wednesday morning that senators were given money for their holiday enjoyment.
Akpabio mentioned that funds were disbursed by the National Assembly Clerk to senators for this purpose.
He 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.”
However, he later retracted his statement and stated that prayers had been sent to the senators’ mailboxes instead.
“I withdraw that statement. 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.” he said
Following Senator Akpabio’s revelation, Nigerians on social media have started criticizing both Senator Akpabio and the country’s leadership.
Rotimi Ebenezer wrote: “Nigerian politicians and corruption were just 5&6. He change it when he realise he was still on national tv! God bless Nigeria.”
Also reacting, IAmGtreal tweeted: “Disgraceful conduct in the Senate house, rowdy and unorganised.”
Taymee also tweeted: “No worries, we deserve all the despair and suffering until we get sense by force ..the electorate is more than the elected yet the elected eat better than the electorate… Nigeria is unreal!.”
Another Twitter user who simply goes by the name Peace on the social networking app tweeted: “Just look at this shameless Nig senators. Meanwhile, people can’t even afford to put on a generator from 7-10 pm again. A shame.”
Smiling Judge also tweeted: “Absurd, it’s a pity we’re in such a dilemma.”
Bashiru Akanbi: “We don’t have leaders, but politicians. The earliest we recognise these men are leaches and parasites to this blessed nation the better we have a chance in moving ahead.”
Ernest Rutherford also tweeted: “The annoying part is that these bunch of thieves just sit down in the hall doing nothing, year in and year out, and still share tax payer’s money at every given opportunity.”
Kassandra Ugochukwu tweeted: “The era of ‘Ghana Must Go bags’ are over, the APC era is for tokens in their bank accounts or emails… It’s no wonder they no longer fight on the floor of the house and none of them brings in thugs or hijacks the mace to his village…It all Rubber Stamps or Paper marks.”
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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