- Senate President Godswill Akpabio said members of the National Assembly should avail themselves wherever they see free food in an old video
- This video, which was edited to disinform Nigerians, went viral on social media and generated a lot of backlash for Akpabio
- Many Nigerians who thought the statement was addressed to them insulted the lawmaker and called him an insensitive leader
The Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, has come under severe criticism on social media over his statement on free food in an old video rumoured to be dated back to June 14, 2023.
In a video, Akpabio, while addressing his colleagues during plenary, said there would be a dinner for the senate president and deputy senate president organised by a senator. He added that members of the National Assembly should eat wherever they get free food as times are difficult.
The viral video, which was edited to look like he was addressing Nigerians, has now generated a lot of backlash for Mr Akpabio.
In the edited video Akpabio said: “Times are difficult, and wherever you see free food, please, endeavour to avail yourself.”
Many netizens, who thought he was referring to Nigerians, reacted to the video and called it insensitive to the plight of many Nigerians who cannot make ends meet.
While mentioning that the senate president is in the habit of making light of Nigerians’ hardship while amassing wealth for himself, some people said he lacks the qualities of a leader.
Some netizens who expressed surprise at Akpabio’s audacity claimed that citizens need to realise that our leaders do not have anything to offer Nigerians and hurled insults at him. Others
Nigerians react to Akabio’s old video
Many Nigerians, reacting to the Senate President's statement without considering its context, hurled insults at him and his colleagues, accusing them of making light of the hardship Nigerians are facing.
Some people threatened that Nigeria would not change until relatives of politicians become scared of Nigerians, reflecting the damage disinformation can cause. After the full video surfaced online, a few people abused bloggers for the disinformation.
Here are some of the comments:
@Krissypearlie posted: “The sooner we accept that these people don't give a rat's ass about the rest of us, the better.”
@faux_Ikay posted: “He keeps on talking to Nigerians like this because he knows we are cowards and we can't do anything.”
@somtohh21 posted: “These politicians can’t believe how foolish Nigerians are. I’m sure they go to bed everyday thanking God they were born in Nigeria, They manipulate the economy to make palliative a survival strategy.”
@_juniorNdubisi posted: “It’s crazy how these men just say and do rubbish and get away with it. Nobody can do anything about it.”
@realdanielemeka posted: “I honestly cannot believe any govt would be worse that Buhari’s govt … like in all arms of govt.”
@ongodi_ posted: “Akpanjo has come again. A despicable son of a gun.”
@BroRhexx posted: “cracking jokes about the sad reality of the masses on that seat is insane fr.”
@Aloysius_Odii posted: “Among all the politicians in Nigeria, this is the one I hate the most. An unproductive dimwit that feeds on the plight of the poor.”
@unc_bruno posted: “They made policies that spread poverty and then turned their people into beggars, and are still mocking them on top of it.”
@_Oghenefemi posted: “How Akpabio keeps justifying the fact that he lacks the nobility of a leader of his standing, without repercussions only goes to show how lucky Nigerian politicians must think they are. This man has to be the most primitive & insensitive politician Nigeria has ever produced.”
“Practise what you preach”: Netizens tell Apkabio as he urges Nigerians to love Nigeria over money
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged Nigerians to prioritise their love for the country over migrating abroad to seek greener pastures.
Akpabio expressed concern over the continuous migration of experts in various fields and said it would be better if professionals stayed back in the country.