Nigerians have reacted strongly online after Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, suggested that residents living near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja should be relocated.
The senator made this call during a plenary session, saying the old buildings near the airport create a bad image for the Federal Capital Territory.
In a viral video from the Senate, Nwaebonyi said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, if you are descending into Abuja airport, the habitants, the type of infrastructure within the environs does not represent the good image of this country.”
He added, “I think that the FCT Minister should capture in their next budget, if not incorporated in this, to either relocate the habitants of the people within the airport or renew the area because that is the mirror of the country… It is an eye-saw, it doesn’t give good image of the nation.”
SEE VIDEO HERE;
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, has suggested to the parliament that villagers near the Abuja airport should be relocated, stating that he does not like seeing old houses when landing there, and that affects the image of the country.😭😭 pic.twitter.com/K4MK1VhFzQ
— People of Ebonyi (@PeopleofEbonyi) May 20, 2025
His comments sparked angry reactions from many Nigerians online who accused the senator of lacking empathy for the poor.
A user, nonlikeray, wrote, “If a senator wants a village demolished just because he doesn’t like the ‘view’ from his window when landing, then Nigeria’s problem isn’t poverty — it’s arrogance with power and an allergy to humanity.”
Another, omoyemeh_special, commented, “Since you don’t like seeing it, God will do for you what will make you stop seeing it. Let the poor breathe.”
the_3k_shop posted, “Ebonyi people, una must explain to us wetin this man tell una wey make una vote am.”
Some Nigerians also called him a hypocrite. queenglitzz said, “Village man has become senator, now he doesn’t like village settings. Most local senator for that matter.”
asu.ekiye.peters wrote, “A man from Ebonyi state doesn’t like a village when his whole state including the capital is a village.”
While others mocked the senator for his pronunciation during the session, pwettytess posted, “Somebody that cannot properly pronounce ‘infrastructure’ and ‘medium.’”
There were also more serious concerns about the rights of those living in the affected area. baby_sheldon01 asked, “Are you demolishing it for development or because of your view? Can you imagine? Does he know families live there?”
Another user, st.flourish, wrote, “Those people living there, do you have plans to relocate them to a better place? Rent in Abuja is quite pricey. Being a leader, you should have empathy for your people too.”
Still, a few people attempted to defend the senator’s point. derek_maduka noted, “He didn’t say demolish. He said there should be an infrastructural change. He suggested they build better houses for the inhabitants of that village.”
Similarly, olubukie stated, “It seems that most people may be missing the key point. His stated intention appears to be creating a more positive image of the FCT… The real discussion should be about how this renovation will be funded and whether the residents will be provided with safe and comfortable alternative living arrangements during the process.”
Despite this, the majority of Nigerians online remained upset over the senator’s remarks. iamkyngizy summed up the mood, saying, “Nawa, if you don’t like it, try dey close your eyes if you dey descend nau.”
