Press Release
The Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in championing a global shift from war to development, tasked Inter-Parliamentary Union members to defend peace, justice, and humanity.
Addressing delegates at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held at Istanbul, Türkiye from 15 to 19 April, 2026, Akpabio said the gathering comes at a time of mounting global tension, with conflicts spreading across regions and testing the resilience of nations and institutions.
Speaking under the Assembly’s theme, Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations, he warned that no region is immune to instability, citing ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
This was as speakers at the opening ceremony had similarly urged renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and democratic values.
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“I bring you warm greetings from the resilient people of Nigeria—a nation that has learned that peace is not inherited, it is built, defended and sustained,” Akpabio stated.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience with conflict and nation-building, the Senate President emphasized the central role of legislatures as “the first hope of the masses” and described parliaments as “the conscience of the people.
“It is time to turn from destruction to construction… and redirect the instruments of war toward the work of development.”
The Senate President, who highlighted the human cost of conflict, stressed that beyond casualty figures lie broken families and devastated communities.
He urged the global community to reject a world where power defines justice: “This is not merely a crisis of security—it is a crisis of leadership. Might must not be mistaken for right, and weakness must never justify injustice.”
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he reminded delegates of humanity’s shared destiny and called for collective action.
He urged the IPU to take a more decisive role in strengthening global institutions, particularly the United Nations, and in amplifying the voice of vulnerable nations.
Akpabio, therefore, called for a renewed global commitment: “Let this moment mark a turning point… a covenant not just with our people, but with posterity.”
Nigeria reaffirmed its readiness to work with the international community to build a world where hope, peace, and justice endure.
Speaking earlier, the President of IPU, Tulia Ackson, had urged member parliaments to uphold their democratic responsibilities, strengthen international solidarity, and act decisively in addressing rising global conflicts and inequalities.
Ackson, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, noted that the world looks to legislatures not only for laws, but for leadership and moral clarity.
IPU seeks strengthening parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy
Against the backdrop of unfolding and ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises, in the Middle East and beyond, the IPU brought together hundreds of lawmakers to strengthen parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of peaceful solutions.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, IPU President Dr. Tulia Ackson thanked the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş for hosting the Assembly during uncertain times, emphasising that in challenging moments, parliamentary diplomacy must prevail.
She insisted that peace is not secured through strength alone, stressing the growing frustration among young people who feel excluded from decisions shaping their future.
Dr. Ackson called on parliamentarians to lead solutions on climate change, representation gaps, and human rights.
Outgoing Secretary General Martin Chungong called for unity in addressing the pressing challenges of our time, in line with the Assembly’s overarching themes of peace and justice.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, Mr. Chungong also thanked Members of Parliament and partners worldwide for their support throughout his twelve years as Secretary General.
Key highlights of the 152nd Assembly include:
Meetings across all IPU bodies, including Standing Committees, and Forums for Women and Young Parliamentarians
Discussions on post-conflict peacebuilding, trade cooperation, and tackling corporate tax avoidance
Marking the 50th anniversary of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians
Workshops on disability inclusion, interfaith dialogue, the two-State solution, and climate action
Election of a new Secretary General, succeeding Martin Chungong
Adoption of the IPU Strategy for 2027–2032
Opening of nominations for the 2026 Cremer-Passy Prize
As the global organization of national parliaments, the IPU continues to play a vital role in promoting peace, democracy, and sustainable development, while strengthening institutions to be more inclusive, representative, and resilient.
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments, bringing together legislators from around the world to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development through dialogue, cooperation, and parliamentary diplomacy.
