Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on parliaments around the world to act as guardians of peace, justice, and humanity amid escalating global tensions. Speaking at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Akpabio urged lawmakers to redirect efforts from conflict toward development and stability.
Addressing delegates under the theme “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” Akpabio emphasized the critical role of legislatures as “the first hope of the masses” and “the conscience of the people.” He warned that no region is immune to instability, citing ongoing crises in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Drawing from Nigeria’s own experience with conflict and nation-building, Akpabio stressed that peace must be actively built and defended rather than assumed. “It is time to turn from destruction to construction,” he declared, urging the international community to prioritize development over warfare.
The Senate President highlighted the human cost of conflict, noting that casualty figures represent broken families and shattered communities. “This is not merely a crisis of security—it is a crisis of leadership,” he said, cautioning against equating might with right or weakness with injustice.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Akpabio reminded delegates of humanity’s shared destiny and called for collective action. He urged the IPU to strengthen global institutions, particularly the United Nations, and to amplify the voices of vulnerable nations.
“Let this moment mark a turning point… a covenant not just with our people, but with posterity,” Akpabio said in closing. He affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the international community to secure a future where hope, peace, and justice endure.
Earlier in the assembly, IPU President Tulia Ackson, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, called on member parliaments to uphold democratic duties and act decisively on conflicts and inequality. She emphasized that the world looks to legislatures not only for laws but for leadership and moral clarity.
The IPU, which brings together national parliaments to advance peace, democracy, and sustainable development through dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy, continues its mission to foster global cooperation and address pressing international challenges.
