President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Sunday urged Nigerians not to lose hope, saying he introduced monthly prayer sessions during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State to confront cases of abduction, killings and militancy.
He also called for sustained prayers for the exposure of those behind terrorism and other violent crimes in the country.
Akpabio made the remarks in a statement issued by his media office in Abuja.
He spoke at an interdenominational church service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
The service, themed “God of Hope, Actualise our Dreams,” brought together top government officials and worshippers to reflect on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
Recalling his time as governor, Akpabio said the monthly prayer initiative was introduced as part of efforts to address rising insecurity in Akwa Ibom State at the time.
“When I had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, I started monthly prayer. I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping and killing. I would say, what if we were not praying?” he said.
“Today I want you to ask the same question. With the things happening around us, what if we were not praying? We must continue praying so that evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus’ name.
“If they are in government, they shall be exposed. If they are outside government, they shall be exposed in Jesus’ name. Those sponsoring it, whether politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated.”
The Senate President acknowledged the pain caused by insecurity across the country, particularly kidnappings and violent attacks, and called for national resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
He said Nigeria’s democratic journey remained a testament to endurance despite years of political and security turbulence.
“We have survived political upheavals, economic turbulence. We will survive insurgencies. We have survived pandemics like Ebola and COVID-19 and seasons of despotism. Yet here we stand—27 years of democratic governance, constitutional order and renewed hope,” he said.
Akpabio noted that President Bola Tinubu had directed that this year’s Democracy Day be observed in a low-key manner due to the prevailing security situation in the country.
He said there was no denying that insecurity continued to affect communities nationwide, adding that farmers were unable to access their farmlands while travellers moved in fear and families mourn victims of violence.
“That is why my heart breaks for every child in captivity and every parent who lies awake through the night not knowing whether a son or daughter is safe, hungry, frightened or even alive,” he said.
“I know something of that anguish. But what I experienced as a child cannot be compared with the horror and ordeal these innocent children have endured since their abduction.”
Akpabio assured Nigerians that there was hope for a better future, expressing confidence that the current security challenges would be overcome.
“The evil you see today, you shall soon see no more,” he said.
He added that the Tinubu administration remained committed to ending insecurity, restoring peace, and securing the release of all persons in captivity.
“We shall continue to act together, pray together and persevere until our children are safely returned and our nation is secure,” he said.
Also speaking at the service, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to ease economic hardship while strengthening measures to defeat insecurity and secure the release of abducted persons nationwide.
