Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) on Monday joined fellow lawmakers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on his return to the country.
Akpabio, who arrived at about 4:00 a.m., ended weeks of speculation about his health, with his presence signaling the start of what is expected to be an energetic legislative session aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The Senate President had participated in the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations, before making a brief vacation stop in London.
In a statement, Senator Nwoko hailed Akpabio’s return as a boost to the confidence and stability of the Senate, expressing optimism that the chamber would dedicate the coming session to advancing the aspirations of Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists, Akpabio dismissed online rumors of ill health as “baseless falsehoods,” clarifying that his London visit was purely for rest and personal reflection.
“I am fit as a fiddle and ready to lead,” he said, assuring Nigerians of “robust legislative engagements that will accelerate national development.”
At the Geneva conference, Akpabio led Nigeria’s delegation in deliberations on “Parliamentary diplomacy and multilateralism: Delivering peace, justice and strong institutions for sustainable development.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in education loans, vocational training, taxation, and direct cash transfers as critical strategies for poverty reduction and governance reform.
With the National Assembly set to reconvene, observers see Akpabio’s renewed vigor, bolstered by his global engagements, as a rallying point for the Senate’s agenda, particularly in addressing pressing issues of economic reform, security, and governance.
On his official X handle, Akpabio reaffirmed this commitment, writing: “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.”
