Renowned policy analyst, Dr Olusegun Adebola, Chairman of The International Watchers, alongside Dr Mike Uyi, President of Global Peace Movement International, a diaspora organisation with presence in 27 countries, have described the recent address delivered by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as a timely intervention that projects Nigeria as a nation seeking moral relevance in a deeply fractured global order.
In a joint statement made available to the press, both leaders noted that Akpabio’s call on global legislatures to defend peace, justice and humanity resonates strongly with the founding ideals of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, particularly at a time when conflicts and geopolitical rivalries continue to reshape international relations.
According to them, the significance of the Senate President’s message lies in its attempt to reframe legislative institutions not merely as lawmaking bodies, but as moral compasses in moments of global uncertainty. They observed that Akpabio’s insistence that peace must be “built, defended and sustained” reflects a pragmatic understanding shaped by Nigeria’s own internal security realities, lending credibility to his appeal on the global stage.
The organisations, however, offered a measured critique, noting that while the rhetoric of peace and justice was compelling, the true weight of such a message depends on domestic alignment. Adebola and Uyi stressed that Nigeria’s moral voice internationally must be matched by visible commitment to justice, equity and strong institutions at home, warning that any disconnect could weaken the country’s diplomatic influence.
They further argued that Akpabio’s participation at the IPU assembly carries important implications for Nigeria’s foreign policy posture. By engaging actively in parliamentary diplomacy, Nigeria signals a willingness to be part of multilateral solutions to global crises, particularly in areas of conflict resolution, democratic governance and development cooperation. This, they said, reinforces Nigeria’s long-standing aspiration to play a leadership role within Africa and beyond.
On the substance of the speech, the two leaders highlighted the Senate President’s call for a shift from war to development as both aspirational and necessary, especially in the face of rising global military expenditure and deepening humanitarian crises. They noted that the emphasis on redirecting “the instruments of war towards the work of development” aligns with broader international conversations on sustainable peace, while cautioning that such a shift would require coordinated global policy actions beyond rhetoric.
They also commended Akpabio’s warning against a world where power overrides justice, describing it as a direct challenge to prevailing geopolitical dynamics. Adebola noted that such a position places Nigeria among voices advocating for a more equitable international order, particularly for developing nations often sidelined in global decision-making processes.
At the same time, they underscored the importance of consistency, urging Nigerian lawmakers to embody the principles they advocate internationally. They maintained that legislative credibility is built not only through speeches on global platforms, but through transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens at home, urging the Senate President to sustain and deepen such commitments.
The International Watchers and Global Peace Movement International maintained that Nigeria’s presence at the IPU assembly, and Akpabio’s contribution in particular, reflects an evolving understanding of diplomacy where parliaments play a more active role in shaping global discourse. They described this as a positive development, especially in an era where traditional statecraft alone is insufficient to address complex transnational challenges.
They added that while Akpabio’s address may not immediately alter the course of global conflicts, it contributes to a broader narrative that prioritises dialogue, justice and shared humanity. For Nigeria, they said, the real test will be translating this moral positioning into tangible leadership both domestically and on the international stage.
