According to him, Nigerians should embrace farming and increase local food production rather than relying entirely on markets for their daily needs.
“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 maintained that while the government should be held accountable for providing essential infrastructure and creating an enabling environment, citizens must also contribute by producing food.
“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 further argued that increased food production would reduce dependence on markets and eventually lead to lower prices.
“If you and I can produce what we eat, do we need to go to the market to buy?” the senator asked.
Senator cites his farm
Nwaebonyi, who described himself as a farmer, used his personal agricultural activities to illustrate his argument.
He said he produces a significant portion of the food he consumes and claimed that 22 tubers of yam had been brought from his farm in Ebonyi State shortly before the interview.
“For example, 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.
“As I talk to you, I produce my own. What I buy in the market is only vegetable,” he said.
The lawmaker subsequently linked reliance on markets to a lack of personal food production, saying those who have the opportunity to grow their own food should do so.
“So if you and I can produce what we eat, it’s only the lazy ones that can go to the market,” Nwaebonyi stated.
His remark is likely to generate debate, particularly at a time when millions of Nigerians depend on markets for food because they live in urban areas or do not have access to farmland.
Nwaebonyi defends Tinubu’s economic policies
The senator also rejected the argument that President Tinubu should be directly blamed for the prices of food items sold by traders.
He explained that the government does not directly determine the prices at which individual traders sell agricultural produce.
“Definitely, I tell you without mixing words that the prices of goods will come down,” he said, arguing that increased agricultural production would help improve food supply and reduce prices.
Nwaebonyi said the responsibility of government should primarily be to provide infrastructure and other conditions that would enable citizens to become more productive.
He listed roads, electricity, education and healthcare among the areas where government should be held accountable.
“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.
Senator praises Tinubu’s infrastructure record
The Ebonyi lawmaker also defended the performance of the Tinubu administration, particularly in the area of infrastructure.
According to him, the Federal Government has made significant progress in road construction since Tinubu assumed office.
“Mr President has made a name in the area of infrastructure, in particular road network in Nigeria,” he said.
Nwaebonyi also dismissed claims that Nigerians had become poorer under the current administration, arguing that poverty and economic hardship exist in countries around the world.
“Even in America, we have poor people. Go to poor villages,” he said.
His comments, particularly the description of Nigerians who buy food from markets as “lazy,” are expected to continue generating reactions as the country grapples with rising food prices and the broader cost-of-living crisis.
