Amidst the backdrop of the Nigerian government’s struggles to provide relief to citizens grappling with economic challenges resulting from the removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s extravagant celebration of his 61st birthday has stirred controversy, exposing what many consider a glaring display of wastefulness and insensitivity by the country’s leaders.
Despite the government’s commitment to providing palliatives to workers and the most vulnerable citizens after protests by the labor movement, challenges persist, with mass disbursement and the promised N35,000 for workers remaining elusive.
In this context, Akpabio’s lavish birthday celebration has raised eyebrows, portraying a stark contrast to the economic struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The celebration commenced in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where senior political figures, including the wife of the president, state governors, ministers, senators, and members of the House of Representatives, gathered for an opulent party at a stadium built with state resources and named after Akpabio during his tenure as governor.
The spectacle, complete with a long motorcade of luxurious automobiles, left a capacity crowd of supporters eager for a share of the feast.
The extravagance extended to Abuja, where a live-streamed colloquium was held at the Transcorp Hilton.
Reports circulated, suggesting that 74 senators pledged about N150 million in support of the events, raising questions about the source of funds.
Akpabio’s special adviser on media and publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, denied funds were taken from the Senate account and government agencies for the event, but the lack of transparency in the National Assembly’s budget and expenditure processes makes verification challenging.
Akpabio’s reputation for profligacy dates back to his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom from 2007 to 2015, marked by extravagant gestures and questionable spending of state resources.
His recent birthday celebration, characterized by grandeur and excess, has reignited concerns about the wastefulness of Nigerian leaders, especially during a period of economic hardship for the general population.
The timing of Akpabio’s celebration, coupled with the perceived disregard for economic challenges, has prompted calls for an impartial inquiry into the alleged Mambilla project scam and the unsolved murder case of former Minister of Power, Bola Ige.
Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate, stressed the need for transparency and non-partisan investigations to reveal the truth.
The prevalent culture of wastefulness extends beyond Akpabio, reflecting a broader trend in public financial management in Nigeria.
The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update for December 2023 highlights the economic challenges facing the country, with rising inflation, increased poverty rates, and a need for citizens to endure the pains of reforms for long-term benefits.
To earn citizens’ trust and cooperation for the ongoing reforms, public officials must lead by example, making visible adjustments to their consumption and lifestyles.
The perceived insensitivity and profligate spending of public funds by leaders undermine the government’s efforts to garner public support for reforms that are projected to have positive long-term impacts on the economy.
As Nigeria grapples with economic hardships, leaders like Akpabio, holding influential positions, are expected to exhibit responsible leadership and empathy, setting a precedent for prudent financial management and reinforcing public trust in the government’s commitment to a better future.
