The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has come under fire after describing Nigerians who rely on markets for food as “lazy”, while defending the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration amid growing concerns over food inflation and rising living costs.
Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, made the controversial remark during an interview on The Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, published on August 1, with clips from the conversation circulating widely on Friday.
While responding to questions on the rising prices of food items, the senator argued that citizens should share responsibility for food security by engaging in agriculture rather than depending entirely on markets.
“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.
The lawmaker said government could only provide an enabling environment through infrastructure, power, education and healthcare, insisting that individuals must also contribute by producing what they consume.
“If you and I can produce what we eat, do we need to go to the market to buy?” he said.
Nwaebonyi, who identified himself as a farmer, cited his personal experience, saying he produces most of the food he consumes and recently received 22 tubers of yam from his farm in Ebonyi State.
“As I talk to you, I produce my own. What I buy in the market is only vegetable,” he said.
However, his comment that “it’s only the lazy ones that can go to the market” triggered backlash, with critics accusing the senator of overlooking the economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians who face challenges accessing land, capital and farming resources.
The senator maintained that increased agricultural production would eventually reduce food prices, arguing that President Tinubu could not be held responsible for every change in commodity prices.
He also defended the administration’s performance, particularly in infrastructure development, saying the government had made significant progress in road construction.
“Mr President has made a name in the area of infrastructure, in particular road network in Nigeria,” he said.
Nwaebonyi further dismissed claims that Nigerians had become poorer under the current administration, arguing that economic difficulties were not peculiar to the country.
The controversy comes amid continued public concern over food inflation, with households across Nigeria grappling with the rising cost of essential commodities.
