RismadarVoice Reporters, April 16, 2026
President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on parliamentarians across the world to rise as defenders of peace, justice, and humanity amid growing global tensions.
Akpabio made the call while addressing delegates at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), holding under the theme “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations.”
He noted that the Assembly is taking place at a critical moment marked by rising conflicts across different regions, warning that global instability continues to test the resilience of nations and democratic institutions.
“I bring you warm greetings from the resilient people of Nigeria – a nation that has learned that peace is not inherited; it is built, defended, and sustained,” he said.
Describing parliaments as “the first hope of the masses” and “the conscience of the people,” the Senate President emphasized their central role in promoting peacebuilding and democratic stability.
He warned that no region is immune to conflict, citing ongoing crises across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, and urged a global shift from violence to development.
“It is time to turn from destruction to construction and redirect the instruments of war toward the work of development,” he said.
Akpabio stressed that the human cost of conflict extends beyond statistics, pointing to displaced families and devastated communities, while cautioning against a global order where power overrides justice.
“This is not merely a crisis of security—it is a crisis of leadership. Might must not be mistaken for right, and weakness must never justify injustice,” he added.
Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., he called for collective responsibility and shared humanity, urging stronger parliamentary diplomacy and reforms to global institutions, including the United Nations, to better reflect the voices of developing nations.
He concluded by calling for a renewed global covenant for peace, saying the moment should mark a turning point in international cooperation and justice.
Earlier, IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson, who is also Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, urged member parliaments to strengthen democratic values, deepen international solidarity, and provide moral leadership in addressing global conflicts and inequalities.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments, promoting peace, democracy, and sustainable development through dialogue and parliamentary cooperation.
