Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, on Saturday, said the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, should vacate the Senate following the resurfaced video of him saying people should eat wherever they see food.
The footage of Akpabio had generated uproar in the social media space with Nigerians calling for his removal from office.
Faulting Akpabio’s remarks, Idam recalled how the Senate President dished out two million to senators for enjoyment.
To this end, the constitutional lawyer charged Nigerians to hold their leaders responsible for their conduct and demand apologies for misconduct in office.
In a statement, Idam said: “Saying that “Nigerians should eat wherever they find food” was quite an honest advice but sadly hypocritical advice, given that the advisor does not and would not eat just anywhere he finds food.
“A Senate President who announced braggingly before Nigerians that he would be enjoying and watching from television with his family while hungry Nigerians are protesting as a result of hunger had long stripped himself of empathy or emotion.
“I will not chide the fact that he had sent monies in the form of “prayers” into his colleagues’ bank accounts described as “Mail Boxes” brazenly, for the purpose of enjoyment during vacation. The details of the monies sent and its sources are still being questioned before Court 12 of the Federal High Court Abuja Division, in suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/1394/2023, Maduabuchi O. Idam Vs. The Senate President of Nigeria. So, I will not speak further on that subject since the matter is subjudice, i.e., pending in court.
“Until Nigerians learn to demand that leaders quit their positions (if found to have misconducted themselves), or demand an apology for an infamous conduct exhibited while in public positions, institutions will remain a joke.
“These and many more are the reasons our supposed hallowed National Assembly is recklessly disregarded, disrespected, scorned and lampooned by even common citizens. Hence, those who are invited for one reason or the other, shun the invitation without fear or repercussions. After all, the majority of its principal officers and those in the cabinet have also snubbed its invitations in the past.
“The pride of the National Assembly must be earned in character and the conduct of its officers. Therefore, indecorous conduct exhibited by officers of the National Assembly must not be treated as a stage play.”