The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has thrown his weight behind the death penalty for kidnappers, declaring that capital punishment remains a necessary deterrent against the rising tide of violent crimes in the country.
Akpabio also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in tackling insecurity, particularly the recent rescue of abducted children, while pledging the National Assembly’s full support for tougher laws to curb kidnapping and terrorism.
The Senate President spoke on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Akpabio hailed Tinubu’s handling of national security challenges, noting that recent rescue operations reflected renewed commitment by the Federal Government to protect lives and property.
He offered prayers for the safe return of the remaining abductees and expressed condolences to the families of soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during rescue missions.
“We condole with families who have lost loved ones, including members of the armed forces who died protecting lives and property. We will stand with their families in this moment of grief,” he said.
The Senate President disclosed that the National Assembly had taken concrete legislative steps to strengthen deterrence, stressing that kidnapping had now been categorised on the same legal level as terrorism.
According to him, kidnappers would face the ultimate punishment once President Tinubu assents to the bill.
“Kidnappers will face the death sentence once the President assents to the bill,” Akpabio said.
He warned that failure to impose and enforce capital punishment could embolden criminals, leading to more jailbreaks and loss of lives.
Akpabio also linked Nigeria’s internal security to stability in neighbouring countries, commending Tinubu’s diplomatic intervention in the Benin Republic to safeguard democratic order.
“If our neighbours are not stable, Nigeria cannot be stable,” he said, adding that the Senate fully supports the President’s regional engagement efforts.
Turning to party politics, Akpabio celebrated what he described as a new wave of alignment behind the APC, welcoming recently defected governors, including the Plateau State governor.
He credited the National Chairman of the party, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, for consolidating gains and strengthening the party’s structure nationwide.
The Senate President urged newly defected governors to work harmoniously with party elders in their states, drawing from his own political experience in Akwa Ibom State.
“Thank them for tolerating you, for accommodating you, for accepting you,” he advised.
Recalling past struggles over political positions in the South-East, Akpabio said valuable lessons had been learned and stressed the need for unity and cooperation across states as more governors join the APC.
He expressed optimism that the cordial political relationship seen in Enugu would be replicated in Rivers, Delta and across the South-South region.
Projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akpabio told caucus members that the growing strength of the APC must translate into unity and collective electoral success.
“At the end, this should result in bloc votes and victory for the APC come 2027,” the Senate President said.