Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on parliaments worldwide to serve as guardians of peace, justice, and humanity in light of escalating global tensions. Speaking at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Akpabio urged lawmakers to shift their focus from conflict to development and stability. Under the theme “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” he emphasized the vital role of legislatures as “the first hope of the masses” and “the conscience of the people.”
Akpabio warned that no region is immune to instability, pointing to ongoing crises in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Drawing from Nigeria’s own experiences with conflict and nation-building, he asserted that peace must be actively built and defended rather than taken for granted. “It is time to turn from destruction to construction,” he declared, urging the international community to prioritize development over warfare. He 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 stated, 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,” he concluded. Akpabio affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the international community to secure a future characterized by hope, peace, and justice.
Earlier in the assembly, IPU President Tulia Ackson, who is also the Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, called on member parliaments to uphold their democratic duties and take decisive action on conflicts and inequality. She emphasized that the world looks to legislatures not only for laws but also for leadership and moral clarity. The IPU, which unites national parliaments to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development through dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy, continues its mission to foster global cooperation and address pressing international challenges.
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