Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday assured lawmakers who failed to secure their parties’ tickets for the next general election that the leadership of the Senate is actively working to address concerns arising from the outcome of the recently concluded primary elections.
Akpabio gave the assurance while delivering his welcome address as the Senate resumed plenary following the Easter and Sallah recesses.
The Senate President congratulated senators and other politicians who successfully emerged as candidates of their respective parties, while acknowledging that not all aspirants were fortunate in the primaries.
“I felicitate particularly with those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next election. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself,” Akpabio said.
He disclosed that the leadership of the Red Chamber, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was already working to ensure that the number of senators affected by primary election losses remained minimal.
“And in this Senate, we are promised that we will have very few disappointments. And I do know that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate is working very hard towards that. So in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines,” he added.
The Senate President urged lawmakers to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities despite the political season, expressing confidence that the 10th Senate would continue to provide leadership in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“Let us continue to conduct ourselves with dignity so that future generations will say that when Nigeria faced difficulties, this Senate did not falter. When leadership was required, this Senate did not shrink, and when duty called, the Senate answered,” he stated.
Akpabio also used the occasion to express concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, describing the incident as a tragedy that had shaken the nation.
“As we resume our work under the mournful shadow of a tragedy that has shaken our nation, the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State, this is not merely an attack on innocent citizens. It is an assault on our collective humanity,” he said.
He lamented the deaths recorded during the incident and extended condolences to the affected families.
“We mourn because if we cannot protect our children, we are imperiling our future. We mourn because a nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its teachers weakens the very foundation upon which education rests.
“Today we grieve the loss of two children, two educators, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who died in captivity, and Mr. Adesha Adeboe, who lost his life during the attack. We also mourn the child whose life was cut short before its promise could be fulfilled,” he said.
While expressing optimism that the remaining captives would be rescued, Akpabio explained that security agencies were exercising caution to avoid endangering the victims.
“The government and security agencies are doing their best to ensure that those in captivity are rescued safely and reunited with their loved ones.
“If you move in there to wipe out the terrorists, you may end up wiping out the children and so it might take a while to distinguish the chaff from the grains,” he said.
The Senate President further warned political actors against exploiting insecurity and national tragedies for partisan advantage.
“There is always a temptation to divide, to accuse and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians must resist the temptation of cheap publicity.
“Those who kidnap our children, terrorise our communities and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith or ethnic group affiliation. The assault is directed against Nigeria itself. Therefore, our response must be equal to the challenge,” he said.
Calling for national unity in the fight against insecurity, Akpabio urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at strengthening security and protecting schools and communities across the country.
“We must stand united, we must stand firm and we must be resolute in finding solutions together. Let us support every lawful measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, protect our communities and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of the law,” he stated.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims before Akpabio directed the Senate leadership to fast-track plans for a national security summit earlier proposed by the upper chamber.
“I want to implore the Leader of the Senate to quickly fix a date for us to conclude our security summit. We must now have that security summit with a view to submitting our own resolutions and what we think we can do to further strengthen the efforts of the security services,” he said.
