Senate President Godswill Akpabio has advised Nigerians that they should not hesitate to eat food anywhere they find it.
Akpabio said this during plenary in a manner that elicited laughter from fellow senators amid the economic hardship that Nigerians are grappling with following the economic policies enacted by the Bola Tinubu administration.
The policies which include the removal of the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and increased taxes have caused food prices to soar, making them unaffordable for many Nigerians.
Last week Wednesday, filling stations owned the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) adjusted their fuel prices to N1,030 per litre, up from N897 in Abuja, while those in Lagos state raised theirs to N998 from N868 per litre, marking the second hike in just one month.
Apparently not peturbed by the difficulties Nigerians are facing, the former Akwa Ibom State governor said, “Times are difficult, and wherever you see free food, please endeavour to avail yourself.”
Known for making unguarded statements, the Senate president previously addressed the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, youths, and women group conference in Port Harcourt in July, where he mocked Nigerians planning the #EndBadGovernance protest in August, saying, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating.”
Taken aback by the comment, Aisha described Akpabio as the most irresponsible elected official in Nigeria.