Nigeria’s strength has always been in its people — different cultures, languages, religions and regions, but one country.
For President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, GCON, keeping those bonds strong has been a recurring part of his message in public life. Whether addressing the National Assembly, meeting stakeholders from different parts of the country or speaking during national and religious occasions, he has often stressed the need for Nigerians to work together despite their differences.
One of his clearest statements on this came during the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja in July 2026.
Speaking about the relationship between Parliament and the people, Akpabio said:
“Parliament belongs not to those elected to sit within it, but to the millions whose hopes and votes brought it into existence.”
His argument was simple: Parliament must remain open to the people it represents. Nigerians should be able to question their representatives, participate in public hearings and contribute to conversations about laws and policies that affect their lives.
As he put it:
“A Parliament that listens becomes wiser. A democracy that listens becomes stronger.”
That responsibility is particularly important in the Senate, where lawmakers from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory come together with different political, regional and local interests.
Finding common ground is part of the job.
Building Relationships Across Nigeria
Akpabio’s engagements have taken him across different parts of the country and brought him into conversations with political, traditional, religious and community leaders.
In September 2026, he received members of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly in Abuja.
The discussions covered economic reforms, opportunities for young Nigerians and the development of Northern Nigeria. Akpabio spoke about his responsibility to the country as a whole and the importance of the North to Nigeria’s development.
Members of the delegation, in their own remarks, spoke about the need to strengthen relationships between the North and South and encouraged continued engagement across regional lines.
For Akpabio, these relationships are not new. His years in federal public service — first as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and later in the Senate — have required working with people and institutions across the federation.
Today, as President of the Senate, that responsibility is even broader.
Unity Across Faiths
Akpabio has also used major religious occasions to speak about the values Nigerians share regardless of faith.
During Eid-el-Kabir in May 2026, he called for sacrifice, compassion and unity, while urging Nigerians to remember communities affected by insecurity and those working to protect the country.
“Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our nation.”
His Christmas message in December 2025 carried much the same spirit.
“This season calls on all of us to exude love, tolerance, and understanding—not only during the festivities, but in our daily interactions. Let us strive to be our brother’s keeper and work collectively for a more peaceful and united nation.”
The occasions were different, but the message was familiar: Nigerians do not have to share the same faith, language or political views to share responsibility for the peace of the country.
Putting Nigeria First
Nigeria’s politics will always involve disagreement. That is part of democracy.
But disagreement does not have to become division.
At the National Assembly Open Week, Akpabio spoke about creating a Parliament where different voices can be heard and where citizens remain part of the democratic process.
“Parliament was never built to keep the people out. It was built to bring them in, for democracy flourishes only in the confidence of an informed and engaged citizenry.”
It is an important point in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
With more than 250 ethnic groups, different faiths and distinct regional interests, national unity cannot simply be taken for granted. It has to be strengthened through dialogue, fair representation, mutual respect and institutions that give people a voice.
Akpabio’s own public service journey has moved from Akwa Ibom State to responsibilities at the federal level — as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator and now President of the Senate.
Each role has widened the constituency he serves.
Today, leading a Senate made up of representatives from every state in Nigeria means working across party lines, regional interests and political differences to find common ground on issues that affect the country.
That is ultimately what national leadership demands: the ability to recognise our differences without allowing them to become bigger than what we share as Nigerians.
Nigeria belongs to all of us. Building a stronger, more peaceful and united country is a responsibility we share.
