Akpabio Advocates for Trust and Inclusion in Democracy

On October 6, 2026, Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, addressed the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania. In his speech titled “Inclusion, Trust and Opportunity,” he asserted that democracy thrives on trust, inclusion, and equal opportunities for citizens.

Akpabio argued that democracy should not be evaluated solely by elections or economic statistics but by its impact on ordinary citizens' lives. He emphasized that trust is essential for democratic governance and must be earned through responsible actions rather than legislation.

Akpabio highlighted Nigeria's diversity as a strength and called for inclusion as a national responsibility. He noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the 10th National Assembly, is pursuing reforms to enhance participation and economic opportunities, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for interest-free financing for eligible students.

He urged parliamentarians to strengthen institutions that listen to citizens and promote public trust.