Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has called for the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following the backlash from a resurfaced video where Akpabio suggested that “people should eat wherever they find food.” The comment, which has sparked outrage on social media, has led many Nigerians to question Akpabio’s leadership and demand his removal from office.
In a detailed statement on Saturday, Idam criticized Akpabio’s remarks, labeling them as hypocritical and unbecoming of a leader in his position. He argued that Akpabio’s attitude towards governance shows a lack of empathy, especially after the Senate President’s controversial distribution of ₦2 million to senators for “enjoyment” during their vacation.
“Saying that Nigerians should ‘eat wherever they find food’ might seem like honest advice, but coming from someone like Akpabio, who lives in privilege and wouldn’t follow his own advice, it is the height of hypocrisy,” Idam stated. “This is a Senate President who proudly boasted that while Nigerians suffer and protest due to hunger, he and his family would be watching from their comfortable homes.”
Idam went further to highlight the ongoing court case, where Akpabio’s financial dealings are being questioned. The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1394/2023, investigates the legitimacy of the funds Akpabio allegedly sent to his Senate colleagues. Although the matter is subjudice, Idam maintained that the case raises serious ethical concerns.
“Until Nigerians begin to demand accountability and insist that leaders who engage in misconduct step down or offer public apologies, our institutions will continue to be a laughing stock,” Idam asserted. He lamented that the National Assembly has been disrespected by both citizens and government officials due to the conduct of its leadership, with many invited officials blatantly ignoring its summons without fear of repercussions.
The lawyer further noted that the dignity and authority of the National Assembly are not automatic but must be earned through the behavior and integrity of its officers. “Indecorous conduct exhibited by officers of the National Assembly must not be treated as a stage play. The National Assembly should not be a place for recklessness and disregard for the very citizens it is meant to serve,” Idam emphasized.
The calls for Akpabio’s resignation come amid growing discontent with the government’s handling of pressing national issues, and this latest controversy has only added fuel to the fire. Many Nigerians are now questioning whether the Senate President’s leadership is in the best interest of the country, particularly in times of widespread economic and social hardship.
