Senate President Godswill Akpabio has acknowledged the growing economic strain on Nigerians, urging his colleagues to rise above partisanship and act with the spirit of statesmanship in confronting the nation’s pressing challenges.

Delivering a speech titled "Rising to Nigeria’s Moment" on the floor of the Red Chamber to welcome lawmakers back from recess, Akpabio noted that the rising cost of living, instability in the energy sector, and persistent insecurity across the country demand swift and responsible legislative action.

“Our economy continues to stretch the patience and resilience of our people,” he said. “The rising cost of living, the instability in the energy sector, and the persisting insecurity in parts of the nation all these demand not just attention but legislative action.”

He emphasized the need for the National Assembly to support the Executive, led by President Bola Tinubu, in addressing the country’s myriad challenges, citing ongoing issues in regions like the South-East and North-West, where communities face criminality and terrorism, and in the North-Central, where farmer-herder conflicts persist. In the South-South, he added, concerns around environmental equity and resource justice remain unresolved.

“These are not just news headlines they are the bleeding wounds of the republic,” Akpabio said. “Our people look to us, not for rhetoric, but for rescue.”

He stressed that Nigerians and the world are closely watching the actions of the legislature. “Let us make no mistake: we are under watch. The people are watching. The world is watching. Our constituents are watching. And history silent but unsleeping is watching,” he said.

Akpabio urged senators to put aside animosity and political differences, emphasizing integrity, patriotism, and collaboration in the legislative process. “Let every vote we cast, every motion we raise, and every oversight we conduct bear the fingerprints of integrity and patriotism,” he said.

He outlined the Senate’s priorities for the new legislative session, including security reforms, economic stability, education, technology, and youth empowerment, adding that the upper chamber would intensify its oversight responsibilities to boost performance across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“To the Nigerian people, I say this: Your Senate is back at work. And we have not forgotten your hopes, your hardships, or your hunger for change,” Akpabio concluded. “We are here refreshed in spirit, renewed in resolve to build a nation where peace is not an illusion, and progress is not a promise, but a pattern. So help us God.”