Lawmaker Sparks Outrage, Tells Nigerians: “Do You Expect Tinubu To Give You Yams?

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture and increase food production rather than rely entirely on the market for their food needs.

Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, made the remarks during an interview on The Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

The senator was defending the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration when he argued that the government could not be solely blamed for the prices of food items in the market.

He questioned whether Nigerians expected the President to directly control the prices of commodities or provide food for individual households.

“Do you expect Tinubu to moderate the prices of garri in the market? Do you expect Tinubu to come and give you yam to feed your family?” he asked.

Nwaebonyi said citizens also had responsibilities, particularly in increasing agricultural production, while the government should focus on providing the infrastructure and other conditions needed for economic growth.

“There are things we must do as citizens. And there are things we must hold government accountable to do, like providing the basic infrastructure,” he said.

He argued that greater local food production would reduce dependence on markets and eventually help bring down food prices.

The senator, who described himself as a farmer, cited his own experience, saying he produces much of the food he consumes.

He said, “As I speak to you, yesterday they brought 22 tubers of yam from my farm in Ebonyi State because I am one of the best young farmers in Ebonyi State, not minding that I am a senator.”

Nwaebonyi added that he purchases very little food from the market because of his farming activities.

He subsequently argued that people who have the capacity to produce food but choose not to do so contribute to their dependence on the market.

“So if you and I can produce what we eat, it’s only the lazy ones that can go to the market,” he stated.

The lawmaker expressed confidence that increased agricultural production would eventually lead to lower food prices.

He maintained that President Tinubu could not personally determine the prices charged by traders for food items.

According to him, the government’s responsibility is to create an environment where citizens can thrive through the provision of infrastructure, electricity, education and healthcare.

“There are things we must hold government accountable to do like providing the basic infrastructure. Which road is number one, power is number two, education comes in, healthcare comes in,” he said.

Nwaebonyi also defended the Tinubu administration’s record on infrastructure, particularly road construction, saying the President had made significant progress in the sector.

He further rejected claims that Nigerians were uniquely experiencing economic hardship under the current administration, arguing that poverty and economic difficulties exist in other countries as well.

“Even in America, we have poor people. Go to poor villages,” he said.