Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has expressed concerns over the negative reaction to his “let the poor breathe” joke he made at the plenary session on Tuesday, clarifying that it was a harmless statement not meant to cajole the poor.
It would be recalled that Akpabio had, on the floor of the Senate, in a bid to stop the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos) from hiking tariffs, jokingly presented the “let the poor breath” motion moved by Senator Akintunde Abiodun, from Oyo State.
Nigerians thereafter criticized the Senate President for his insensitive statement, which many believe made a mockery of the poor.
However, reacting to the criticisms, Akpabio, in a statement dated July 27 and posted on Friday, said he did not mean to insult the citizens, as he was aware of the hardships resulting from the high cost of living.
He said the motive behind his ‘let the poor breathe’ remark “was to firmly reject any plan of increasing electricity tariffs for Nigerians, considering the ongoing economic challenges that Nigerians are faced with.”
The statement added, “We are deeply concerned about the negative tilting of a very harmless statement by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, about his deep concern and that of the Senate on the plight of ordinary Nigerians as a result of the prevailing economic situation in the country.
“‘Let The People Breathe, made during the Plenary on July 26, 2023, was made by Senator Akintunde Abiodun while speaking on the motion to halt the planned electricity tariff hike.”
Akpabio assured Nigerians that the upper legislative arm of the country cannot treat crucial matters with trivialities and affirmed that the lawmakers cannot make a mockery of the challenges confronting the people.
The statement further reads, “We want to assure the general public that all matters discussed during Senate sessions are of the utmost importance and are treated with great seriousness by the President of the Senate and his Distinguished colleagues.
“It is crucial to clarify that the intentions of the mover of the motion and the comments of the President of the Senate were never to make light of the hardships, suffering, and economic challenges faced by Nigerians at this critical juncture.
“The purpose of the proposal was to firmly reject any plan to increase electricity tariffs for Nigerians, considering the ongoing economic challenges that Nigerians are faced with.
“The primary focus of the current National Assembly under the Chairmanship of Senator Akpabio is on the implementation of effective and well-structured policies that truly benefit the people. He has repeatedly assured Nigerians that the current Senate will work for all Nigerians.
“The President of the Senate deeply empathizes with Nigerians and has never considered the current economic crisis in the country as a matter of jest. His unwavering commitment lies in serving the best interests of the Nigerian people. With the release of the ministerial list and the subsequent screening and swearing-in of the ministers, we have high hopes that the newly appointed officials will promptly address the challenges and bring much-needed relief and succor to all citizens, thereby easing the current hardship and pains experienced by Nigerians.”
