I won’t run Senate based on what is on social media – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly stated that he won’t run the Nigerian senate based on what is being written on social media.

He said this while criticising Nigerians who form opinions on the tax reform bills without reading the official documents, instead relying on information shared on social media.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State made this statement during the public hearings on the Tax Reform Bills held on Monday, February 24.

He urged participants to take the time to read the bills thoroughly before contributing, in order to enrich the public hearing process.

Akpabio said: “I’m tired of social media discussion on tax. I want to stay with you for two days, let us discuss. So I call on all and sundry and all Nigerians who have issues with the bills, read the bills before you comment. Even some of our leaders never opened a page of these bills submitted to the National Assembly before they started running to television stations to condemn.

“So please if you don’t have copies, ask the chairman to give you copies since it’s a two-day event. Use today (Monday) to listen to other people. Don’t jump up to contribute based on social media discussions. Go and read first, when we meet again tomorrow (Tuesday), you come and make your contribution. It’s also online, you can download, go through it, the area you don’t want, please tell us. For me, I will not run the Nigerian Senate on the basis of what they write on social media.”