Akpabio offers clarification on the ‘let the poor breathe’ motion.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, has clarified his intentions behind the ‘let the poor breathe’ motion made in a humorous manner during the plenary session last Tuesday.

At the plenary early last week, while seeking the Senate’s support to prevent the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos) from increasing electricity tariffs, Akpabio presented the motion moved by Senator Akintunde Abiodun, representing Oyo senatorial district, in a sarcastic manner. The response of the senators, who burst into laughter, was perceived as insensitive to Nigerians and sparked a wave of criticism.

In response to the public backlash, the Senate President released a statement dated July 27, posted on Friday, explaining that it was not his intention to mock the people, and he is fully aware of the hardships caused by the high cost of living.

According to the statement issued by the media unit of the Senate, the motion ‘Let The People Breathe’ was made by Senator Akintunde Abiodun during the Plenary on July 26, 2023, while discussing the motion to halt the planned electricity tariff hike.

The statement reassured the Nigerian populace that the Senate takes important national issues seriously and cannot trivialize the challenges faced by the people. It emphasized that the primary purpose of the motion was to firmly oppose any plan to increase electricity tariffs, given the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

The statement reiterated the Senate President’s commitment to serving the best interests of the Nigerian people and highlighted the ongoing efforts to address the current economic crisis and provide relief to citizens. With the recent release of the ministerial list and the subsequent screening and swearing-in of the ministers, there is hope that the appointed officials will promptly tackle the challenges and alleviate the hardships experienced by Nigerians.