Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome pervasive security challenges — including banditry and terrorism — by 2026, urging citizens to embrace unity, shared responsibility, and support for national efforts to restore peace and stability. Akpabio’s remarks, framed as a message of hope and reassurance, came as part of a broader appeal for national cohesion and collective action in the face of threats that have afflicted communities across the country.
Speaking during a prayer and fasting service held in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Akwa Ibom State, the Senate President underscored his belief that the tide of insecurity can be turned in the coming year if Nigerians set aside divisions and work together towards a more peaceful and equitable society. In a statement released by his media team, Akpabio said he was confident that the new year would usher in renewed peace and that the nation would be “redeemed from banditry and insurgency” with sustained effort and cooperation.
Akpabio linked his optimism to both spiritual symbolism and practical collaboration, reflecting on the significance of the Christmas season and the birth of Jesus Christ as emblematic of hope and renewal. “For God so loved the world … Nigerians will be redeemed from banditry and insurgency in the new year and beyond,” he said, articulating a vision in which faith and civic action converge to drive societal transformation.
Central to his message was a call for unity that transcends political, ethnic, and religious differences. Akpabio emphasised that national development and lasting peace are contingent on collective responsibility and mutual respect among all segments of the population. He urged citizens to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to foster collaboration between government, communities, and international partners in tackling security threats.
Drawing attention to Nigeria’s complex security landscape, which includes armed banditry in the northwest, insurgency in the northeast, and various forms of criminality in other regions, Akpabio said defeating these challenges requires a broad‑based approach. He highlighted the importance of cooperation with global allies, reflecting confidence that renewed international engagement would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to degrade and dismantle violent extremist networks.
“Insecurity will not be resolved by wishful thinking,” Akpabio said, underscoring the need for strategic partnerships and concerted national focus. His remarks took place against a backdrop of heightened security actions by Nigerian forces and allied operations designed to counter armed groups, reinforcing his call for a unified national response to violence and lawlessness.
Akpabio also singled out the role of families and communities in building a culture of peace and resilience. He said that peace begins at home, and that strengthening bonds at the grassroots level is essential to countering the social fractures that violent actors exploit. His wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, echoed this sentiment, urging families to support one another selflessly and to prioritise love, harmony, and mutual understanding.
Commentators say the Senate President’s message reflects a broader effort by political leaders to encourage national solidarity at a time when citizens are fatigued by decades of insecurity. Analysts note that calls for unity and shared civic responsibility resonate with ongoing government strategies that seek to combine military action with community engagement and socio‑economic initiatives aimed at addressing root causes of violent conflict.
At the prayer and fasting service, traditional and family leaders also voiced support for Akpabio’s vision, emphasising the importance of moral leadership and collective resolve. They urged attendees to internalise the message of peace and return to core values that promote national cohesion and shared prosperity.
The Senate President’s assurance that Nigeria will overcome banditry and terrorism by 2026 has been widely shared on social media and in public discourse, eliciting a mix of hope and cautious optimism among citizens. While many welcomed the message of unity and confidence, some observers reiterated that meaningful progress will depend on consistent policy implementation, enhanced security operations, and deepened cooperation between government and society.
As Nigeria approaches the new year, Akpabio’s appeal for unity and shared responsibility — coupled with strategic national and international collaboration — sets a tone of collective resolve in confronting longstanding security challenges. His message underlines a central theme of national leadership: that sustainable peace and development require not only state action but the active participation of all Nigerians in building a secure and prosperous future.
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