President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has come under fire for his statement implying that some of the street protests against the increasing cost of living in the country were sponsored.

There have been protests in different parts of the country, such as Kano, Ibadan, Niger, and Sokoto, among others, over the prevailing economic hardship.

Akpabio, speaking on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, stated that the protesters were unaware of the efforts made by the Senate and the federal government to address the situation.

He said, “You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there, but those people are not aware — most of those sponsored protesters are not aware of the kind of efforts made by this senate to tackle the situation together with the management team of the federal government.

“Unverified reports have it that state governments in the last few months have received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), outside their normal allocations from the federation account, to assist them in ameliorating the food situation.

“So we believe that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available.”

Akapbio’s statement has since sparked diverse reactions across on social media.

@official_Goch said, “Am shocked to hear that these protests are sponsored. One question is can one fake hunger and starvation? We all should be human and put other poor masses as bait. How would you feel if you can’t provide for your family and kids due to the current hardship, it’s a shame.”

@Olumania_IB wrote: Akpabio said that they people are sponsored to protest. He could have gone to this place to ask these people who their sponsors are.

@tinabestify wrote, “Is President Godswill Akpabio serving the interests of his party or his people and Nigerians? How can he tag the proposed hardship protest “sponsored protest against the government”? Is the suffering that Nigerians are currently facing not enough to make them protest?”

@RealOlaudah “For the character Godswill Akpabio to yet again cajole the common man that the hunger protests in the land are sponsored, shows how far removed these people are from the ordinary Nigerians. It also shows the manner of advice they’re giving Bola Tinubu. The Nigerian ruling class is a putrid mess.”

@Danbatta_1 said, “For this statement to come from him shows that the Senate President has no regards for the suffering Nigerians are passing through.”

@PrinceH10446337 added: “How can number 3 citizen of Akpabio saying that the opposition parties are the one sponsoring the hungry Nigerians to protest. When there’s chronic hunger in the country. Akpabio just committed HATE SPEECH, he should apologize to Nigerians.”

@amudaDewale: “Lawmakers should go out there,take a bus,go to park and feel what Nigerians are going through.”

@iAttah “How insensitive of the SP to say the protests were sponsored, people are going to through harsh moments.”