Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Sunday told Nigerians not to lose hope, saying that when he was governor of Akwa Ibom he even started monthly prayer sessions to fight abduction, killings and militancy.
His media office in Abuja released the statement after Akpabio spoke at an Inter-Denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. The service — part of Democracy Day events and themed “God of Hope, Actualise our Dreams” — gathered top government officials and worshippers to mark 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.
On his experience as governor, Akpabio said: “When I had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, I started monthly prayer. I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping and killing. I would say, what if we were not praying?
“Today I want you to ask the 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. 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.”
He acknowledged the pain of insecurity — kidnappings and violent attacks — and urged resilience. He said Nigeria has endured past crises and will endure more: “We have survived political upheavals, economic turbulence. We will survive Insurgencies. 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 and hope renewed.
“But gratitude must never blind us to reality. President Bola Tinubu has directed that this year’s Democracy Day be observed in a low-key manner because of the current situation in the country.
“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,” he said.
He spoke emotionally about trauma, recalling 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.
“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 no more.”
He added: “We shall continue to act together, pray together, and continue to persevere until our children are safely returned and our nation is secure,” he added.
Secretary to the Government, George Akume, told the service the federal government is intensifying efforts to ease economic hardship and to defeat insecurity and secure the release of all abducted persons.
