By Uche Amunike
President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has, Tuesday, mocked the organizers of the much publicized protest against hunger and general hardship in the country, as well as Nigerians that will take part in them, asking them to go ahead with the protests while he and other members of the National Assembly will sit back and eat while watching them carry out their demonstrations.
Speaking, while addressing delegates at the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Youths and Women’s Group Sensitization Conference, organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Rivers State, the Senate President expressed his displeasure at the planned protest, stating that the Niger Delta people are not ready for a regime change while referring to the statement of the Managing Director of the commission.
During the event, which was broadcast live on Arise TV, Akpabio stated: ‘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.’
‘We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.’
He made the promise that the National Assembly is willing to help with legislation to prevent oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region. He further stated that the particular problems that are faced by the Niger Delta must be factored inside the communiqué, because they have plans to make it available to President Bola Tinubu.
Hear him: ‘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.’
‘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 you that those issues will be addressed.’
Senator Godswill Akpabio earlier summoned the 10th assembly for an emergency meeting concerning the forthcoming protests that was scheduled for today, August 1 to last through the next nine days and end on August 10. The clerk, Chinedu Akubueze already released a circular signed by him on Monday, stating that the meeting was of national importance. He stated nothing further on the details of the emergency meeting. He only stated that the meeting would hold on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, just a day before the nationwide planned protest against hunger and hardship would kick off.
The memo stated: ‘Dear Distinguished Senators, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened as follows: Date: WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st, 2024; TIME: 12 NOON.’
