“It’s an Embarrassment to Our Nation” — Akpabio Threatens Legal Action Over Faulty National Assembly Microphones

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has vowed to take legal action against the contractor responsible for renovating the National Assembly complex following persistent technical failures that have disrupted proceedings in both legislative chambers.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary, Akpabio expressed frustration after faulty microphones again interrupted Senate proceedings, saying the defects had become a national embarrassment.

“I hope you are taking note of the fact that our microphones are not working well,” Akpabio told lawmakers.

He revealed that he and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were also embarrassed a day earlier during the opening of the National Assembly Week when similar technical problems occurred.

“I was in the House of Representatives yesterday to represent you at the opening of our NASS Week. In the course of it, myself and the Speaker were thoroughly embarrassed. The same contractor that handled the renovation of the House of Representatives handled this one,” he said.

The Senate President warned that if the situation persists, the National Assembly would have no choice but to pursue legal action against the contractor to ensure the project meets the expected standard.

“If this continues, we have steps we can take legally to ensure that a good job is done because it’s an embarrassment to our nation,” he stated.

Akpabio also directed officials to properly document the repeated equipment failures, saying the records would justify any action taken against the contractor.

“I hope you are taking note of it so that when they go to social media to start complaining after we have taken action, you will know why we took the action. We are all witnessing what is going on now,” he added.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over the quality of the recently renovated National Assembly complex and the accountability of contractors handling major public infrastructure projects.