In a surprising turn of events, the 2-day retreat organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) kicked off without the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sparking controversy and complaints from lawmakers.
The retreat, intended for members of the 10th Senate, began on a contentious note as Senators, their aides, and accompanying journalists found themselves stranded without accommodation upon their arrival in Ikot Ekpene, the hometown of Senate President Akpabio.
The contingent from Abuja arrived in Uyo around 7:45 pm on Wednesday, followed by a roughly one-hour drive to Ikot-Ekpene. However, upon reaching their destination, it became evident that the available rooms at the Four Points hotel were insufficient to accommodate everyone.
Organizers NILDS, in charge of the retreat, were reportedly in disarray as they attempted to address the logistical challenges of keeping Senators waiting for extended periods in the hotel lobby.
Accommodation arrangements made by NILDS were designed for Senators and approximately 12 resource persons at Four Points hotel, the designated venue for the retreat. Tensions escalated between some NILDS officials and aides, particularly those from the Office of the Senate President, over what was perceived as a poorly managed trip, starting from the flight arrangements from Abuja.
Aides expressed dissatisfaction with the Democratic Institute’s handling of the journey, as they found themselves in Ikot Ekpene without allocated rooms in the same hotel as their principals.
Journalists, invited by the Office of the Senate President for coverage of the retreat, faced a similar predicament, with many observed stranded on couches in the hotel lobby overnight due to the accommodation shortage. The unfolding situation raises questions about the organizational efficiency of the retreat and the need for smoother logistics in future events of this nature.
