Senate President Godswill Akpabio mocked Nigerians planning to participate in a nationwide protest against economic hardship, stating that he and other members of the National Assembly would be “eating” while the protests occurred.

Akpabio made this remark on Tuesday during the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Youths, and Women Group Sensitisation Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

At the event, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Niger Delta region was not interested in a change of government in Nigeria.

Akpabio echoed this sentiment, urging Nigerians to exercise patience regarding the current economic challenges, which he suggested would be temporary.

“All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while,” Akpabio said, referring to the economic difficulties. He supported Ogbuku’s comment about the region’s lack of interest in regime change, adding, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating.”

Known for his controversial statements, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State also expressed concern over the effects of oil spills in the Niger Delta region. He acknowledged the significant damage caused by oil and gas activities and assured that the National Assembly would work on necessary legislation to address oil spillage and environmental pollution.

“The specific issues faced by the Niger Delta must be contained in that communiqué because we are going to make it available to Mr. President,” Akpabio said. “The ones that need legislation will come to us (National Assembly members), 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.