Human rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has described Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent claim that there is “no more hunger in Nigeria” as deeply insensitive and disconnected from the harsh realities most citizens face.
Akpabio, while addressing Nigerians abroad, had urged them to return home, declaring that hunger had been eradicated in the country — a statement that quickly drew public outrage.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Idam said Akpabio’s remark amounted to a “mockery” of millions of Nigerians battling economic hardship and struggling to survive. He accused the Senate President of being completely out of touch with the daily suffering of ordinary people.
“The Senate President must not keep reminding Nigerians that he is totally disconnected from the realities of everyday life in this country,” Idam said. “Such unguarded and insensitive comments are provocative and humiliating to the sensibilities of citizens enduring poverty caused by poor governance.”
He further criticized Akpabio for making light of the country’s deepening hunger crisis, saying his words “dehumanize” citizens whose hardship stems from mismanagement of the economy.
“Those whose stomachs are full should not assume they are smarter than others who are hungry,” Idam added, calling on public officials to show empathy rather than mock the suffering of their fellow citizens.
The Senate President’s comment has since sparked widespread backlash, with many Nigerians on social media accusing him of being out of touch with the cost of living crisis gripping the nation.
