Senate President Godswill Akpabio has advised Nigerians to help themselves by seizing every opportunity to eat any free food available.

Unbothered by the difficulties Nigerians are facing, the former Akwa Ibom State governor said, “Times are difficult, and wherever you see free food, please endeavour to avail yourself,” according to a video that went viral on Sunday.

Mr Akpabio made the statement in a lighter mood during plenary, eliciting laughter from fellow senators amid the economic hardship bedevilling the country due to policies enacted by the Bola Tinubu administration.

Policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and increased taxes have caused food prices to soar, making them unaffordable for many Nigerians.

On Wednesday, filling stations in Abuja adjusted their fuel prices to N1,030 per litre, up from N897, while those in Lagos state raised theirs to N998 from N868 per litre, marking the second hike in just one month.

Mr Akpabio, notorious for making unguarded statements, had previously addressed the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, youths, and women group conference in Port Harcourt in July, where he mocked Nigerians planning the #EndBadGovernance protest in August, saying, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating.”