Protests: CSOs want Akpabio sanctioned over ‘eating’ comments

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, is facing another round of criticism for allegedly saying that “those who want to protest can go ahead while we are eating.”

The Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy (CPD) on Monday said such a comment has further angered the protesters, a development, it observed, has become a threat to democracy in Nigeria.

CPD National Coordinator, Dr. Menike Johnson, said the Senate President should be held responsible if democracy fails.

However, Consultant on Communications and Strategy to the Senate President, Kenny Okolugbo, has debunked claims that the Senate President said he would be “eating while protesters are protesting.”

Okolugbo, in a statement, said that Akpabio never made such remarks.

“Akpabio was merely quoting the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) who remarked that the Niger Delta youths have greatly benefited under his and the Amnesty boss’ leadership,” Okolugbo explained.

The Coalition alleged that the statement credited to Senator Akpabio, wherein he declared that Nigerians can be protesting while those in government are eating, spiked the protests that had just started when he commented.

Johnson said, “The reckless utterance of Akpabio angered the youths who then alleged that the federal government is uncaring, inconsiderate, and detached from Nigerians.”

The group further noted that Akpabio’s statement portrayed him as one with an agenda that is different from what President Bola Tinubu is preaching.

“Only this can account for his public opinion that Nigerians can be protesting while those in government are eating,” the group stated.

He further clarified that the Senate President, during his visit to the NDDC-sponsored youths stakeholders summit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, pointed out that the Niger Delta region, despite ongoing challenges, has not resorted to protests.

He noted that Akpabio, being the highest-ranking government official from the region, empathised with the people’s hardships, acknowledging the prevailing hunger and economic difficulties.

He said his principal praised the government’s efforts to mitigate the issues, citing the implementation of a new minimum wage and the establishment of the Northwest and Southeast Development Commissions.

The statement added that Akpabio announced an empowerment initiative aimed at providing 10,000 youths with a monthly stipend of N50,000, designed to alleviate economic hardship.

Okolugbo added that he likened this effort to the enduring pains before the birth of a child, urging patience and understanding from the Niger Delta populace towards President Tinubu’s administration.

Media reports had earlier quoted the Senate President as asking organisers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to go ahead with the demonstration while they watch on eating.

He was further quoted as saying that the Niger-Delta people were not ready for a regime change while referencing the statement of the MD of the NDDC.

“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,” Akpabio said.