“We Are Here to Sacrifice, Not to Make Money” — Akpabio Fires Back at Critics in Senate Speech

In a bold and reflective statement that has sparked conversations nationwide, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has countered the widespread perception that Nigerian lawmakers are in the Senate for personal gain. Speaking during a plenary session at the National Assembly, Akpabio declared:

“People think we are here in the Senate to make money, not knowing that we are here to sacrifice for future generations.”

His remark comes amid mounting criticism over the National Assembly’s expenditure, allowances, and perceived disconnect from the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.

With inflation soaring, naira devaluation deepening, and fuel subsidy removal biting hard, citizens have grown increasingly vocal about what they view as the “luxury politics” of the federal legislature.

But Akpabio, clearly unfazed, insisted that public perception does not reflect the true responsibilities and pressures faced by lawmakers.

“We are constantly engaging in legislative battles, policy debates, and national crises management. It’s not a picnic — it’s a battlefield for Nigeria’s soul and future,” he said.

However, his statement has been met with mixed reactions. While some applaud the sentiment behind the words, many Nigerians online have described the comment as “tone-deaf” and “detached from reality.” On social media platform X, one user wrote:

“Sacrifice? On over ₦30 million monthly? Let’s be serious.”

Another tagged Akpabio’s speech as a classic example of the “disconnect between Nigeria’s political elite and its suffering masses.”

Despite the backlash, Akpabio’s supporters argue that the role of a senator — especially the Senate President — extends far beyond public view. They cite long hours spent on legislative drafting, oversight functions, and high-pressure diplomacy during national emergencies.

Still, critics point to the Senate’s lack of urgency in addressing critical economic concerns, including skyrocketing food prices, insecurity, and the failing power sector — issues that directly affect the “future generations” Akpabio referenced.

This isn’t the first time the former Akwa Ibom governor has tried to steer public opinion about the Senate’s image. Earlier this year, he was widely criticized for joking about a “holiday allowance alert” sent to senators during a period of national hardship — a joke that didn’t land well with millions battling hunger and unemployment.

Akpabio’s message might have been intended to inspire reflection within the chamber, but in a country where millions are sacrificing daily just to survive, talk of “sacrifice” from a chamber with one of the highest legislative salaries in the world may not be enough. Nigerians are no longer interested in political poetry — they want policy results.

Until the Senate matches its rhetoric with tangible change, the “sacrifice” will remain a tale told on marble floors far removed from muddy streets.