Those Who Want to Protest Can Go Ahead, But We’ll Be There Eating – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made a controversial statement at an event organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday in Rivers State.

With a nationwide protest planned for August against rising inflation and Nigeria’s worst cost of living crisis in decades, Akpabio remarked, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating.”

Some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and politicians in the southwest have described the planned protest as an attempt to topple the Bola Tinubu administration.

Akpabio emphasized that he is not interested in “regime change,” stating, “All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while.”

He thanked the Niger Delta for its resilience and acknowledged the severe impact of oil and gas activities in the region. He assured that the national assembly is prepared to support legislation to address oil spills and environmental pollution, and that issues requiring intervention or additional funding will be communicated to the president.