Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that angry Nigerians can continue to protest over hunger in the country while he and other government officials will continue to eat from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He made the insensitive remark during a meeting with the NDDC executive management, Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State on Tuesday.
Speaking during the event, Akpabio said he was not interested in any “regime change”.
“All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while. MD, I want to thank you for what you said. You said we are not interested in regime change, let us own this government.
“Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating — I must thank the Niger Delta”, he said.
“We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.”
According to him, the National Assembly is ready to help with legislation to address oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region.
“The specific issues faced 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, 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 that those issues will be addressed”, he added.
Akpabio’s statement is coming as Nigerian youths are gearing up to flood the streets on the 1 of August over economic hardship and other sundry issues tearing the nation apart.
