Akpabio: Nigeria survived pandemics, political crises — we’ll overcome insecurity

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians not to lose hope, saying the country will overcome its current security challenges.
Akpabio spoke on Sunday at an inter-denominational church service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

Akpabio urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s democratic journey and count their blessings as the nation marks 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

“We have survived political upheavals, economic turbulence. We will survive insurgencies,” he said.

“We have survived pandemics like Ebola and COVID-19 and seasons of despotism. Yet here we stand. Twenty-seven years of democratic governance. Twenty-seven years of constitutional order. Twenty-seven years of hope renewed.”

The senate president, however, acknowledged the country’s security challenges.

“But gratitude must never blind us to reality. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that this year’s Democracy Day be observed in a low-key manner because of the current situation in the country,” he stated.

“There is no denying that insecurity continues to trouble our land. Communities have been attacked. Farmers fear returning to their fields. Travellers journey with uncertainty. Families mourn loved ones lost to violence and criminality.

“The kidnapping of innocent citizens, especially children, wounds the conscience of our nation.”

Akpabio said the plight of kidnapped children and their families is deeply personal to him because of his childhood experience during the civil war.

“That is why my heart breaks for every child in captivity and every parent who lies awake through the long hours of the night, not knowing whether a son or daughter is safe, hungry, frightened, or even alive,” he said.

“I know something of that anguish. Yet what I experienced as a child cannot be compared with the horror, humiliation, cruelty, and unspeakable ordeal these innocent children have endured since their abduction.

“It is a tragedy that wounds the conscience of our nation. But I assure you there is a brighter tomorrow. The evil you see today, you shall soon see them no more.”

The senate president urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country and for those behind insecurity to be exposed.

“When I had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, I started monthly prayer,” he said.

“I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping, and killing. I would say, what if we were not praying? Today l want you to ask same question, the things happening around us, what if we were not praying.

“We must continue praying so that the evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus name. If they are in government, they shall be exposed in Jesus name.

“If they are outside government they shall be exposed in Jesus name. Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated.”
Akpabio said the Tinubu administration remains committed to ending insecurity and securing the release of victims held captive across the country.

“On the part of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this administration remains steadfast in its determination to secure the freedom of those in captivity, defeat the forces of terror and criminality, and restore peace to our communities,” he said.

“We shall continue to act together, pray together, and continue to persevere until our children are safely returned and our nation is secure.”