By Damilare Adeleye
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to feed themselves through any possible means due to ‘difficult times’.
Akpabio made this remark in a lighter mood during plenary, eliciting laughter from fellow senators amid the economic hardship bedevilling the country following the economic policies enacted by the Bola Tinubu administration.
Policies such as 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.
Unbothered 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.”
Akpabio, notorious for making unguarded statements, had 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.”