Abuja – Comrade Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer and activist, has condemned the ongoing political feud between Senators Gadswill Akpabio and Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, distracting from the overwhelming economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Adeyanju made these remarks during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where he criticized the Senate for prioritizing personal conflicts on urgent national issues.
He highlighted the silence of key senators, including Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, in critical debates about policies that exacerbated the living crisis. Adeyanju highlighted that both lawmakers supported the controversial decision of the Tinubu administration without providing meaningful opposition.
Activists further pointed out that the Senate had a lack of uniform resistance to policies that were harmful to the masses, and that even the opposition had not challenged the government. He cited the recent suspension of Senator Akpoti-uduaghan by the Senate Ethics Committee as an example of how internal conflicts veil national concerns.
“The feud between Akpabio and Akpoti-uduaghan is merely a distraction,” he said. “Nigerians are working to raise electricity bills, increase taxes and remove fuel subsidies, but the Senate is obsessed with personal grievances.
“When electricity tariffs were raised by over 300% and fuel subsidies were abolished, these senators did not oppose them. Instead, they chose to be silent while Nigerians were on the brunt of these anti-people policies.
Sign up for the AllAfrica newsletter for free
Get the latest African news
success!
Almost finished…
You need to check your email address.
Follow the instructions in the email you sent to complete the process.
error!
There was a problem processing the submission. Please try again later.
“The focus on the Senate’s personal conflicts distracts attention from serious issues such as the tax reform bill and economic struggles of both businesses and citizens, which are unacceptable when Nigerians are in desperate need of leadership.”
Adeyanju also questioned the timing of the feud and asked why the senators were silent during discussions on policies that have strengthened inflation and reduced purchasing power. He called for transparency and accountability, and urged Sen. Akpotiujuhan to provide credible evidence in support of her allegations of harassment.
“If Senator Akpoti Yudugan believes she is being treated unfairly, she must present evidence. But we must not lose sight of the larger picture. Nigerians are suffering, and the Senate must prioritize addressing their needs,” he emphasized.
In addition to the economic crisis, Adeyanju argued that such issues deserve more attention than current political controversy, such as for Adamawa young people, Jackson on Sunday, who faces death sentences.
“There are far more urgent issues, like the case of young Adamawas who are facing death sentences. These are issues that should be at the forefront of our national discourse,” he said.
Adeyanju also criticized the government’s approach to taxation, claiming that increasing taxes on struggling businesses would further harm the economy. Instead, he advocated tax credits to support businesses and stimulate economic growth.
“Taxation is not a solution to our economic problems,” argued Adeyanju. “The government should provide tax deductions to businesses rather than suffocating them with additional taxes.”
