ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) on Monday joined fellow lawmakers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whose return he described as a source of renewed confidence for the National Assembly.
Akpabio, who arrived in the early hours of the morning after attending the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a brief private visit to London, dispelled rumors about his health and assured Nigerians that he was fully prepared to lead a vibrant legislative session.
Nwoko, speaking shortly after welcoming him, said Akpabio’s return would re-energize the Senate to focus on advancing the aspirations of Nigerians in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. “The coming session will be dedicated to addressing the yearnings of our people. Nigerians should be confident that the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership is poised for robust engagements that will drive national development,” he said.
The Senate President himself dismissed speculations about ill health as “baseless falsehoods,” clarifying that his London visit was recreational. “I am fit as a fiddle and ready to lead,” Akpabio told journalists, assuring the nation of legislative actions that would accelerate governance reforms, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
At the Geneva conference, convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations, Akpabio led Nigeria’s delegation in high-level discussions on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral cooperation for peace, justice, and sustainable development. He highlighted Nigeria’s efforts in education loans, vocational training, tax reforms, and direct cash transfers as crucial steps in combating poverty and deepening good governance.
His media office further emphasized that his London stay was purely for rest and reflection, dismissing insinuations of medical concerns.
With the National Assembly set to reconvene, lawmakers and political observers see Akpabio’s renewed vigor, bolstered by his international engagements, as a rallying point for the Senate’s legislative agenda, particularly in driving economic reforms, improving security, and consolidating democratic progress.
On his official X handle, Akpabio wrote: “Our presence at the global parliamentary gathering in Geneva was a strong one. Now, we turn our focus to delivering on the aspirations of our people.”
