A tense moment unfolded at the Nigerian Senate when Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi exchanged sharp words over a controversial proposal concerning Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Nwaebonyi had suggested that settlements and shanties visible from descending aircraft should either be removed or redeveloped, arguing that they leave an unpleasant impression of Nigeria. He called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to make provisions for the relocation or upgrading of these areas.
In response, Akpabio questioned the reasoning behind such a proposal. He sarcastically asked whether villages should be removed just to impress visitors flying into Abuja. “Which part gives you dramas in your stomach?” Akpabio asked, adding that with an eight-lane expressway and streetlights already leading to the airport, such superficial adjustments would make little real difference.
The incident was captured on video and quickly made the rounds online, sparking intense public debate. In one viral commentary on BVI Channel, a speaker harshly criticized Nwaebonyi, branding him an “accidental senator” with a “poverty mentality.” The commentator accused the senator of being more concerned about appearances than the welfare of those living in those communities, mockingly suggesting Nwaebonyi wanted Abuja to resemble New York from the air.
Interestingly, while the commentator didn’t hold back in labeling Akpabio as the “most useless Senate President,” they nonetheless commended him for standing his ground in this instance. The Senate ultimately dismissed Nwaebonyi’s motion, with a collective and emphatic “nay.”
This heated exchange has once again shed light on the ongoing disconnect between some political leaders and the everyday realities of the Nigerian people. The commentator urged citizens to stop voting for unqualified leaders, warning that continually recycling “never-do-wells” only hinders the nation’s progress. While Nwaebonyi’s proposal may have been aimed at improving the capital’s image, critics argue it failed to consider the human impact of uprooting entire communities. Akpabio’s blunt response, though sharp-tongued, emphasized the importance of addressing the country’s real problems with meaningful solutions rather than chasing cosmetic changes.
