By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has warned politicians against deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to spread falsehoods, incite Nigerians or deepen communal, religious and regional divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio gave the warning on Tuesday while delivering his welcome address as the Senate resumed plenary after its two-month annual recess, which began on July 23, 2026.
He said political campaigns had already commenced with political parties selecting their candidates, urging aspirants and candidates to sell their programmes to Nigerians and allow the electorate to make their choices freely.
According to him, political differences should never become a justification for setting communities against one another or threatening the unity of the country.
“Those who seek office need not see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand as Nigerians. We can contend without setting community against community, faith against faith or one part of our Republic against another,” Akpabio said.
He urged candidates to be prepared to answer difficult questions while calling on political actors and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and misinformation, particularly the type of falsehoods that can spread rapidly through digital platforms and AI-generated content.
“No electoral prize is worth a Nigerian life. No victory deserves celebration if it leaves the nation wounded,” the Senate President declared.
Akpabio further reminded politicians that the election would eventually end, but Nigerians would remain together as citizens of the same country.
“Let the contest be vigorous, let it be open, and let every participant remember the country that we must live together when the contest is over,” he said.
The Senate President also pledged that the National Assembly would maintain its legislative and oversight responsibilities throughout the election season, despite the political activities involving members of the chamber.
He identified insecurity, flooding and the rising cost of living as major challenges requiring sustained legislative attention, assuring Nigerians that the Senate would deploy legislation, appropriation and oversight to address the problems.
Akpabio sympathised with families whose relatives had been abducted and communities affected by violence and flooding, stressing that the suspension of plenary during the recess did not mean that the problems confronting Nigerians had disappeared.
He challenged the Senate, comprising lawmakers from different political parties, regions and ideological persuasions, to demonstrate that political disagreement could coexist with national responsibility.
“This Senate must show the way. Within these walls sit men and women of different parties, regions and convictions, entrusted with the representation of one Republic. We shall continue to disagree, as a free Parliament must.
“Yet we must hear one another, conduct our affairs with dignity and fulfil our duties throughout the campaign season. The people sent us here to serve until the end of our mandate. There is work before us, and we shall remain at our posts in spite of the campaigns,” he said.
Akpabio Backs Australian Speaker for IPU Presidency
Meanwhile, Akpabio has assured the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, of Nigeria’s support for his bid to become President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Dick visited Abuja on Monday to solicit the support of the leadership of the Nigerian Parliament ahead of the forthcoming IPU presidential election.
Receiving the Australian parliamentary leader, Akpabio said Nigeria had taken note of his experience within the IPU, including his service as Vice President of the Asia-Pacific group and leadership of several IPU delegations.
He described Dick’s commitment to impartiality, inclusion and parliamentary diplomacy as qualities that could strengthen the global parliamentary organisation.
“With you as President of IPU, IPU can only wax stronger, IPU can only improve,” Akpabio said, adding that Dick’s leadership could complement that of the woman serving as Secretary-General of the organisation.
The Senate President said Nigeria attached considerable importance to the IPU as an institution for parliamentary dialogue, democratic development, peace and international cooperation.
He also called for stronger Nigeria-Australia cooperation in mining, agriculture, education, renewable energy, technology, security and capacity building.
Akpabio encouraged Australian investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, describing the country’s large population and expanding market as major economic advantages.
“I want you to take the message back to the business community in Australia that Nigeria is awaiting their coming and that you have come to open the door and that it will never be closed again,” he said.
He further expressed optimism that Nigeria and Australia could build a stronger parliamentary bridge between Africa and the Pacific.
Earlier, Dick said he had been advised that understanding Africa was important to his campaign for the IPU presidency and therefore considered a visit to Nigeria essential.
He described Nigeria as the “heart of Africa” and acknowledged the country’s leadership role in the continent and within the IPU.
Dick thanked Akpabio for receiving him and pledged that, regardless of the outcome of the IPU election, Australia would have “a brand new friend” in Nigeria.
