Don’t Crucify Akpabio Over ‘Let The Poor Breathe’ Comment, Ohanaeze Youths Tell Critics

Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Youth Movement, has appealed to Nigerians to stop criticising President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over his “Let the poor breathe” comment made during a recent Senate plenary.

The comment in now viral video, which was a line from one of President Bola Tinubu’s June 12 speech, was referenced by the Senate President while ruling on on Motion concerning the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and 11 Electricity Distribution Companies to postpone their proposed electricity pricing rise as the lawmakers were considering a resolution in that order.

Reacting to the backlash, Executive Members of the youth group, Nwabueze Obi, Ekwem Eucharia and Ndukaku Chris, at a press conference, said the Senate President actually meant well for the poor.

They said that the Senate President only restated the comment, which was made by a Senator, who spoke on the motion to halt the planned electricity tariff hike.

The group assured that the Senate President and the entire parliament werw concerned about the ongoing economic challenges that Nigerians are faced with, adding that the Senate President can never make a mockery of it.

The group said, “We appeal to Nigerians to end the criticisms. The Senate President’s comment was totally misconstrued. The statement “Let The People Breathe” made during plenary on 26th July 2023, was made by Senator Akintunde Abiodun while speaking on the motion to halt the planned electricity tariff hike.

“The Senate President only restated it while ruling on the matter. Akpabio cares about the citizens and he’s very much concerned about their plight. He envisioned a 10th Senate that would provide quality, stable and inclusive leadership at the National Assembly with a view to providing robust legislative intervention and making relevant laws for good governance. We appeal to Nigerians not to misconstrue the intention of the statement. He wasn’t making mockery of the hardships being faced by some citizenry.”