Akpabio Advocates Electoral, Judicial, and Local Government Reforms

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has emphasized that credible elections and timely justice are the foundation of true democracy, urging reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“An election is not a ceremony; it is the soul of democracy. And justice is not a luxury; it is the backbone of peace,” Akpabio declared. “When elections fail, trust dies. When justice delays, faith decays. That is why we must renew both our ballots and our benches.”

He called for greater independence and integrity within the nation’s electoral and judicial systems, stressing the need to “strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission, shield our courts from corruption, and restore the people’s confidence in their institutions.”

Citing global examples, Akpabio noted that “in India, reforms make voting accessible even in the remotest villages,” while “in South Africa, the constitution enshrines judicial independence as sacred.”

He added that Nigeria “can do the same — not by copying others, but by perfecting ourselves.”

According to the Senate President, true federalism must begin at the grassroots. “If the government does not work in the village, it has failed in the capital,” he said. “We must free our local governments from the chains of dependency. Development must have a human face — and that face must be visible in every ward, every street, every home.”