President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has thrown his weight behind the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers, describing it as a necessary deterrent against rising violent crime in the country.
Akpabio also applauded President Bola Tinubu’s handling of national security, commending the recent rescue of kidnapped children and assuring that the National Assembly would support stronger legal measures to combat insecurity.
Speaking on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the Senate President praised what he described as the President’s decisive leadership in addressing security challenges and restoring stability across regions.
He prayed for the safe return of remaining abductees and offered condolences to the families of military personnel and civilians who lost their lives during recent rescue operations.
“We condole with families who have lost loved ones, including members of the armed forces who died while protecting lives and property. We will stand with their families at this difficult time,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also linked Nigeria’s internal security to regional stability, commending Tinubu’s diplomatic intervention in Benin Republic to safeguard democratic order.
“If our neighbours are not stable, Nigeria cannot be stable,” he said, assuring that the Senate fully supports the President’s regional security efforts.
On the legislative front, Akpabio disclosed that kidnapping has now been placed on the same legal footing as terrorism under a bill passed by the National Assembly, adding that kidnappers would face capital punishment once the President assents to the legislation.
“Once the President signs the bill, kidnapping will attract the death sentence. Without strong punishment, criminals will continue to escape from prisons and kill innocent people,” he warned.
Turning to party politics, Akpabio welcomed recent defections to the APC, including governors from opposition parties, and credited the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, with consolidating the party’s growing influence nationwide.
He urged newly defected governors to respect party elders and structures in their states, citing his own political experience in Akwa Ibom State as an example of cooperation and accommodation.
“Always thank those who accommodated you, who tolerated you, and who accepted you,” he advised.
Reflecting on past political disagreements in the South-East, Akpabio said lessons had been learned and called for harmony among states as more governors align with the APC.
He expressed optimism that the cooperative spirit seen in states like Enugu would extend to Rivers, Delta and across the South-South region.
Projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akpabio said the APC’s expanding base should translate into unified electoral support.
“At the end of the day, this must result in bloc votes and victory for the APC in 2027,” he said.
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