By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio,has appealed to Nigerians to be patience with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying efforts have been put in place to improve security and and their living standards.
According to Akpabio, the current economic woes and hunger were due to past policies of the past 60 years, adding that decades of rot could not be solved in months, just as he also maintained the government is working hard to fix the economy and country.
While admitting that there is hunger in the land today because of the policies and actions that past administrations took, Akpabio said Tinubu’s government is doing everything possible to ensure that Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed.
The senate president also blamed the current economic crisis on the former Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele over his policies, which according to him, was terrible.
Akpabio stated this on Sunday 18 February, 2024 at Senator Barinada Mpigi’s Thanksgiving service in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State
“But what we can say is that yes there is hunger today because of the policies and actions that they took, and we recognise that, and I think every political party should recognise that there is hunger, and we are battling to ensure that Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed,” he stated.
“Yes, there is insecurity; we are battling to ensure that Nigerians can take three square meals a day. But be rest assured that we campaigned for this job; we campaigned around the country; we will not let you down; we will get to the bottom of it; all we need is your patience.
“That rots that have happened in Nigeria for so many years for almost 60 years—cannot be solved in six months,” he emphasised.
Akpabio said Tinubu administration inherited an economic mess from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, unsure even what charges to bring against him.
“We did not even know what to charge him with – whether for putting foam on top of the bill, illegal firearm possession, printing notes without income. I don’t know what we are going to charge him with,” Akpabio said.
Recall that Emefiele is facing accusations from the Federal Government related to financial crimes after Tinubu removed him from his position as CBN governor in June 2023.
The criminal charges against the former Governor of CBN were revised by the Federal Government on January 18.
The six counts were expanded to 20 counts.
Emefiele was accused of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to conduct forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony in the amendment.
However, the Senate President maintained that the government is working hard to fix the economy and country.
“We did not even know what to charge him with – whether for putting foam on top of the bill, illegal firearm possession, printing notes without income. I don’t know what we are going to charge him with,” Akpabio said.
