From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerians that the current wave of insecurity across the country will soon come to an end.
This is just as he expressed optimism that peace and stability are within reach.
Akpabio gave the assurance yesterday during his Easter message at the Field Major Convention of The Apostolic Church in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where he acknowledged the widespread grief caused by violent attacks and loss of lives.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio“Across our country, many families are passing through moments of grief and loss,” he said, noting that security personnel and civilians alike have paid the ultimate price. “Some have lost loved ones in the line of duty… others in their homes, places of worship, markets, farms and workplaces as Nigeria continues to confront the painful challenge of insecurity.”
He extended condolences to affected families, saying their pain is shared by the entire nation. “We mourn with you, pray for you, and honour the memory of those whose lives have been cut short. Their sacrifices can never be forgotten,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Akpabio expressed hope that the Easter season symbolises a turning point for Nigeria’s security situation. Drawing parallels with the resurrection of Christ, he said, “I firmly believe that soon Nigeria’s story will also reach its full and victorious conclusion: Nigeria defeats insecurity, evil and fear.”
He urged citizens to embrace unity and compassion, stressing that “darkness never has the final word,” and called for renewed faith in both God and the country’s future.
In his homily, Apostle E.O. Akpan of The Apostolic Church also expressed optimism that through prayers, Nigeria would overcome its security challenges and experience peace and development.
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, used his Easter message to defend the controversial provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, insisting that the legislation was a product of broad stakeholder consensus rather than unilateral decisions by the National Assembly.
Bamidele dismissed allegations by opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that certain sections of the law were designed to undermine them ahead of the 2027 elections. According to him, “each provision of the Electoral Act is informed purely by stakeholders’ consensus and not by legislative fiat.”
He explained that key provisions—such as the requirement for political parties to submit digital membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission—are in line with global best practices and aimed at strengthening internal party democracy.
“The provision… is to prevent powerful individuals, who are unknown to a political party, from hijacking its decision-making process,” he said.
On the restriction of candidate nomination processes to direct primaries or consensus, Bamidele argued that the move was designed to curb the influence of money in politics and empower ordinary party members. “It aims at ending a delegate system that compromises the interest of the majority… The final decision is now in the hands of party members,” he stated.
The Senate Leader also condemned recent attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, describing them as unacceptable and assuring that the National Assembly is working with both federal and state governments to address the root causes of violence.
“We will not fold our arms and allow rogue elements to destroy the nation we are building,” Bamidele said, adding that ongoing legislative efforts, including amendments to the Terrorism Prevention Act, would introduce stiffer penalties for perpetrators, financiers, and informants of violent crimes.
He expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration and stronger legal frameworks, “the end to such criminal acts and killings is already in sight.”
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