Senate President Godswill Akpabio has told Nigerians that poverty is not a crime.
He made the comment in Rome after attending the funeral of Pope Francis last Saturday at the Vatican. Akpabio led a five-member federal government delegation to the event.
Speaking in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) via Zoom, Akpabio said:
“When you look at the Catholic Church, the Catholic Church is not just a church. The Vatican is also regarded as a state. So you have the head of state that died and was buried today. You also have the country that headed this flock all over the world, well over 1.5 billion in number.
“And you have a man who died as a man today, the Pope, who was worth only $100, showing that yes, we cannot worship God in splendour and that the best way to worship God is to worship God through self-sacrifice for others.
“So the message is very clear that Nigerians should love one another and that poverty is not a crime and that poverty could sometimes be a virtue, a virtue of God and that whatever you have you should be able to share with your brothers and sisters and above all in this period of Easter.”
Pope Francis passed away last Monday.
All our general overseer should cover their face in shame. Nigeria so called men of God are ( agba lowo meri).
No problem Oga Senate President, please can you become poor so that others can benefit? A leader shows the way by example not by looting
Poverty is a crime in Nigeria because Nigerians didn’t deserved to be poor irrespective of our populations, you politicians have inflicted the poverty to us in nigeria.we are the most hustle human beings on earth yet there’s nothing to show for it.
That is the true talk my brother,
Look at what this old ugly fool is saying. Akpabio your head dey truly shake
It is deeply disappointing to hear Senate President Godswill Akpabio state that “poverty is not a crime,” especially while representing Nigeria on the international stage. Poverty in Nigeria is not just an unfortunate condition it is the result of systemic failures, corruption, and poor governance, for which our leaders must take responsibility.
Coming from a leader entrusted with the power to create policies that uplift millions, such a statement is both insensitive and detached from the daily realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. Poverty strips citizens of dignity, opportunity, and hope — and when leaders trivialize it, they show disregard for the suffering of those they are elected to serve.
Rather than downplaying the crisis of poverty, the focus should be on eradicating it through bold, honest leadership and transformative policies. Poverty in Nigeria is a consequence of injustice — and addressing it must be treated as a moral and political priority.
poverty is a crime but as you said is not a crime then share your wealth to the poor and by doing so you make a perfect example of your words
Poverty is not a crime but you are stealing from Nigerians money. Become poor then we would listen to u
Sick leaders
He sometimes speaks like someone who discharged himself from the psychiatric centre against Dr’s recommendations.
Imagine !. What a nonsense. The spiritual s not same with the physical. Leave the spiritual for the spiritual. Let the physical attend to the needs of the physical_ affordable houses, good healthcare, safety for citizens, good living condition, no poverty in a country like nig where you are the senate president sitting on a scandal.
True talk my brother porverty is really a crime
If you say poverty is not a crime, and you think it is good to be poor then very soon you and your entire family will be poor,in Jesus name Amen.