By Latiifah Amusan
The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims made by Labour Party chieftain, Professor Pat Utomi, regarding the Red Chamber’s decision to halt the proposed increase in electricity tariffs.
The Senate, during a unanimous decision, voted against the planned tariff hike, expressing concerns about its potential to exacerbate the already dire situation faced by the masses.
Dubbed the “Let the Poor Breathe” motion, Senator Akintunde Abiodun proposed the additional prayer during a plenary session on July 26.
This proposal, aimed at preventing further electricity tariff increments, was overwhelmingly adopted by the Senate.
Addressing the criticism from Professor Utomi, the Senate dismissed his comments as misguided, emphasizing their commitment to alleviating the burden on the impoverished segments of society.
The Red Chamber reiterated its dedication to crafting policies that prioritize the well-being of the people and promote equitable access to essential services.
The statement reads,
“The Senate is alarmed at the insidious misinterpretation enunciated by some political surrealists, who always leave the causes of their troubles to look for unnecessary scapegoats.
“The personal tirades and character assaults hauled at the Senate President by Professor Pat Utomi are misdirected and uncalled for.
“Insinuating that the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, was mocking the Nigerian masses with the phrase: ‘Let the Poor Breathe’ is dressing falsehood and mischief in an undesirable garment.
“The Senate is an assembly of distinguished men and women who are sent by the Nigerian public to the hallowed chamber to represent their interests.
“The public-interest motion to halt an increase in the electricity tariffs for Nigerians is one of such instance that tests the senatorial responsiveness of distinguished members of the 10th Senate.
“With the fire of the fuel subsidy removal still smoldering the Senate opined that any increase in electricity tariffs would be suffocating and that whoever is desirous of doing so should allow the poor, all Nigerians, to breathe.
“The Senate President compassionately hit the gavel with a stoic warning that any such attempts would be obnoxious, ludicrous, and could only seize oxygen from the reach of the masses.
“Despite this open display of patriotism and sensitivity, some political irredentists and turncoats feel they could turn the omnipotent actuality on its head to gain their lost momentum.”
“The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has passed many life support resolutions in its short span, including the misinterpreted Senate’s ‘No to Increase in Electricity Tariff.’
“We thus advise political rolling stones and pretenders not to play politics with the lives of Nigerians and allow the National Assembly to join hands with other arms of government to pull out Nigeria from economic morass and make life more abundant for us all.”
