The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has admitted that many Nigerians are going through difficult times. He spoke on this while welcoming fellow senators back from their break.
In his speech titled “Rising to Nigeria’s Moment”, Akpabio said Nigeria’s economic troubles are testing people’s patience. He asked his fellow lawmakers to approach their duties with wisdom and a sense of responsibility.
Akpabio pointed out some of the major issues affecting Nigerians. He mentioned the high cost of living, problems in the energy sector, and ongoing insecurity in different parts of the country. These, he said, need immediate action from the National Assembly.
He told the senators, “While we were on break, many things happened in the country. Our economy continues to stretch the strength and patience of our people.”
He added that these issues need more than just talk — they need real legislative solutions to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to fix Nigeria’s problems.
Akpabio gave examples of insecurity across the country: in the South-East and North-West, there are still issues of criminal attacks and terrorism. In the North-Central region, farmers and herders are in conflict. And in the South-South, problems around fairness in the use of resources and environmental justice remain unresolved.
He stressed that these are not just news reports but real problems affecting Nigerians every day. “People don’t want more talk. They want results,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Akpabio expressed hope. He said that with trust in God and cooperation between leaders in the Executive and Legislative arms of government, these problems can be solved.
He also talked about public conversations in the media about electoral and judicial reforms. These, he said, are important topics that relate to the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking about divisions among lawmakers, Akpabio called on the Senate to act as one body. He reminded them that Nigerians are watching. He said, “Let us not make mistakes. The people are watching us. The world is watching. History is watching.”
He encouraged his fellow senators to vote with honesty, raise motions that matter, and carry out oversight duties with integrity and patriotism.
Looking ahead, Akpabio said the Senate will focus on bills that deal with national security, the economy, education, technology, and youth development. He urged all Senate committees to carry out meaningful oversight so that government departments and agencies can perform better.
He urged his colleagues to act not as politicians, but as statesmen. He said they should lead with dignity and avoid political fights. “Let’s debate issues, not divide ourselves,” he said.
Finally, Akpabio assured the Nigerian people that the Senate is back at work. “We haven’t forgotten your struggles,” he said. “We are here to help build a country where peace is real and progress is constant.”
He ended with a prayer: “So help us God.”
