Former Senate leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has refuted the claims that lawmakers are escaping to foreign countries to seek refuge ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled to start on August 1 across Nigeria.
Abaribe explained that it was crucial to refute the rumours that members of the National Assembly have all left the country due to threats from angry Nigerians who are planning to stage ten days of demonstrations against the country’s suffering and food crisis.
He argued that representatives of the people would never abandon their duties when the people most needed them.
Naija News understands that the proposed nationwide protest is scheduled to run from August 1 to 15 to protest against the increasing cost of living and the economic difficulties faced by the nation.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday during an event to commemorate the 70th birthday of veteran journalist and politician, Chief Sam Nkire, Abaribe emphasized that he and many of his colleagues were still residing in the country despite the rumours and accusations.
Abaribe pointed out that reaching the age of seventy is a cause for celebration, even though the country is currently facing unrest due to the economic struggles of the people and the impending nationwide protest.
The former Deputy Governor of Abia State, said, ” I know that you must have heard that all politicians, especially members of the National Assembly, have fled the country because of the looming nationwide protest. It is not true. We’re all here, and we are even going to sit on Wednesday to deliberate on the state of the nation.
“We have a situation on our hands; citizens are angry because things are not working as they should in the country. We want Nigerians to know that these things do happen, but what we have to do is to learn lessons from the experience.
“We have had a turbulent history, but I think we are going to have a lot more unless we do the right things. It is clear now that ostentatious living in the midst of poverty will not take us anywhere. Let those in authority gird their loins and do the work for which they have been elected, which is to solve the problems of Nigeria.
“You can’t be buying new planes, building new houses when the masses are suffering. You cannot drive a Rolls Royce to my house and ask me to lend you money because I will not give you. This is what Nigeria is doing.”
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