A PDP lawmaker representing Rivers North, Senator Thompson Sekibo, has said that the economic situation in the country is also affecting senators, citing example of how his tummy has reduced in size.

Sekibo, who spoke during a special session of the Senate to mark its two years, said “Senators would continue to stand with Nigerians and commended President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki for withstanding political persecution in the last two years.”

He added: “We are fighting corruption ourselves and that is why today I don’t know how much you are paying me. My Salary has been so slimmed down. My tummy was bigger before. We would agree with you, even in starvation, we would stand by Nigerians.”

The Senator also declared his total commitment to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), despite the factionalisation currently ravaging party.

Speaking of his personal travails, he maintained: “You know I am just only one year in the Senate. Six months in the Senate in December 2015, enemies of darkness fabricated something and I was sent out back to the field. I am happy with all my colleagues for standing with me through out. My seat that was allocated to me on that day was preserved for 12 calendar months until I came back and made to sit on it again.

“If you are not a good leader, if you are a selective leader, you would have given the seat to someone else because I am not APC. I am PDP and I will remain PDP. You even preserved my committee. Without hatred and selection and you did not do it for me but did it for Nigerians.

“The level of persecution that followed you after your inauguration has been great. On your face, I have never seen a trace of persecution. Everyday passing, you are smiling and not distracted. You are really focused that is why we are praising ourselves.”