Amid soaring inflation, rising electricity tariffs, and growing economic hardship, human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has strongly criticized the ongoing political rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He calls it a needless distraction from the real issues affecting Nigerians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju slammed the Senate for prioritizing personal vendettas over pressing national concerns. He pointed out that while citizens suffer under controversial government policies—including subsidy removal and tax hikes—lawmakers remain largely silent on these hardships.
“The feud between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan is irrelevant to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. Instead of addressing the skyrocketing cost of living, they are busy exchanging political blows,” he said.
Adeyanju further criticized the Senate’s lack of resistance to economic policies that have made life tougher for Nigerians, including the recent electricity tariff hike of over 300%. He also took a jab at opposition parties for failing to provide a strong challenge to policies he described as “anti-people.”
He particularly questioned the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that it was a diversion from more urgent matters. However, he urged her to present concrete evidence if she claims to have been unfairly treated.
“There are far more important things to discuss—like the case of a young man in Adamawa facing a death sentence. Why isn’t the Senate focusing on these issues instead?” Adeyanju asked.
On taxation, he warned that excessive levies on struggling businesses would only worsen the economy. Instead, he called for tax relief measures to stimulate growth.
“The government should be giving tax breaks, not stifling businesses with more taxes,” he asserted.
As Nigerians grapple with economic uncertainty, Adeyanju’s remarks raise a crucial question—should lawmakers be engaging in political feuds, or focusing on the real crises at hand?
