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The President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, on Tuesday urged lawmakers to place national interest above partisan considerations as the Senate resumed plenary after its legislative recess, declaring that patriotism must always take precedence over personal and political convenience.
In a welcome address delivered at the resumption of the upper chamber, Akpabio said the return from recess represented more than a constitutional obligation, describing it as “a renewed call to duty” at a time Nigerians expect decisive legislative action to address the country’s numerous challenges.
He noted that although lawmakers were away from Abuja, they remained actively engaged with their constituents and continued to discharge their responsibilities to the nation.
“Our recess was never an intermission from national service. Parliament may adjourn, but democracy never sleeps,” he said, adding that senators had listened to the concerns of Nigerians and witnessed “the resilience of the Nigerian spirit and the enduring faith of our people in democracy.”
The Senate President recalled that lawmakers had to interrupt their recess to attend to urgent national assignments, saying the development demonstrated that patriotism required elected officials to respond whenever the nation called.
“Great legislatures are not remembered because they met according to schedule; they are remembered because they rose above schedules whenever the nation demanded it. Patriotism chooses duty over personal convenience,” he stated.
Reflecting on the political activities that took place during the recess, including party primary elections, Akpabio described democracy as a process in which both victory and defeat must be accepted in the interest of constitutional order.
“Some celebrated while others were disappointed. Such is the nature of democracy. Yet beyond every victory and defeat stood a greater triumph—the triumph of constitutional order,” he said.
He stressed that democracy survives when political actors respect constitutional processes and place national stability above personal ambition.
On the country’s security situation, the Senate President expressed concern over the continued wave of insecurity across parts of Nigeria, lamenting that many families still live in fear due to kidnappings and terrorist activities.
He specifically drew attention to the schoolchildren abducted in Ondo State and other Nigerians still being held captive by criminal groups.
Addressing the affected families, Akpabio assured them that the Senate shared in their pain.
“To their families, we send more than sympathy; we send solidarity. We cannot pretend to know the weight of your sleepless nights. Yet we want you to know that we remember you,” he said.
He reaffirmed confidence in the Armed Forces, the Police, intelligence agencies and other security institutions, expressing optimism that ongoing operations would eventually secure the release of all captives and bring perpetrators to justice.
The Senate President also pledged continued legislative backing for measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that peace remained the foundation upon which national development could be built.
“Roads cannot flourish where fear governs the highways. Investors cannot build where kidnappers build camps. Farmers cannot feed a nation while fleeing their farms. Children cannot prepare for tomorrow when they are afraid to attend school today,” he said.
Akpabio maintained that every appropriation for security and every law designed to protect lives constituted an investment in Nigeria’s future.
He reminded senators that Nigerians expected the National Assembly to enact laws capable of stimulating economic growth, protecting vulnerable citizens, improving education and healthcare, creating opportunities for young people, and safeguarding workers’ welfare.
According to him, effective legislative oversight must remain fearless, constructive and non-partisan.
“They expect this Senate to remain the vigilant guardian of the public trust,” he declared.
Calling for unity among lawmakers despite political differences, Akpabio urged members of the Senate to embrace what he described as “the politics of nation-building.”
“Let us debate without diminishing one another and criticize policies without questioning patriotism. Democracy insists that though we may not always see eye to eye, we must always stand shoulder to shoulder,” he said.
Quoting the Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, who declared that “the welfare of the people is the highest law,” Akpabio said the constitutional responsibility of the government to guarantee the security and welfare of citizens should guide every legislative action of the Senate.
He expressed hope that the new legislative session would be remembered as a period in which lawmakers rose above partisan interests in pursuit of national development.
The Senate President concluded by praying for wisdom, courage and compassion for members of the National Assembly as they undertake their constitutional responsibilities, while also seeking divine protection for Nigeria, its security agencies and citizens still held in captivity.
