You Can Protest But We Will Be Eating -Akpabio Mocks Nigerian Protesters

By:Olufemi orunsola

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has mocked Nigerians that are bent on staging the Nation-wide hunger protests.

The Senate leader who has earned a record of throwing jibes and absurd remarks on serious national issues over the years has once mocked Nigerians who plan to take part in the nationwide protest against economic hardship, declaring that he and other members of the National Assembly would be “eating” while they (Nigerians) protest.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija reports that Godswill Akpabio made the mockery statement on Tuesday while speaking at the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Youths and Women Group Sensitisation Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a viral video of the event organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), making the mockery remarks during which he appeared to Nigerians to exercise patience with government over the prevailing waves of hunger and harsh economic realities in the country as it is just a passing phase.

In his words;"Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating. All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while.” 

Earlier at the event, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku made it known that the Niger Delta region was not interested in a change of government in Nigeria of which Akpabio thanked him for taking that position. 

The Senate president lamented the impact of oil spillage in the Niger Delta region, acknowledging the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in the region has done immeasurable damage to the people, however, assured that the National Assembly was ready to help with necessary legislation to fight oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region.

“We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people. The specific issues facd by the Niger Delta must be contained in that communique because we are going to make it available to Mr President,” he said.

‘The ones that need legislation will come to us (National Assembly members), the ones that need intervention will go to NDDC, the ones that need more money will go to the president and commander-in-chief and I assure you that those issues will be addressed’, the Senate leader revealed.