Akpabio, Saraki, Amaechi, Makarfi, Other Leaders Preach Unity, Peace in New Year

Bennett Oghifo in Lagos, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Prominent Nigerian leaders, yesterday, in their respective new year messages, harped on unity and peace of the country as Nigeria transits into 2026.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that 2026 would mark a year of renewed hope and steady national progress for the people of Nigeria.

He, however, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to protect democratic stability, strengthen institutions, and place national unity above partisan interests.

In his New Year message, Akpabio expressed confidence that the country would record measurable gains in governance and development, insisting that sustainable progress must be driven by strong institutions rather than individuals.

The message, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, commended Nigerians for their resilience and patience amid economic and security challenges.

He underscored the pivotal role of the Senate in promoting accountability, democracy, and good governance.

He said, “As we enter the year 2026, I extend my warm wishes to Nigerians for a peaceful and fulfilling year. I commend the resilience, patience and civic maturity of our people, even in challenging times.”

He stressed that while the Executive continued to roll out policies and reforms, the National Assembly remained firmly committed to its constitutional duties of lawmaking, representation and oversight to ensure that governance outcomes reflect the aspirations of the people.

“The Senate and the entire National Assembly will continue to discharge their duties with diligence, providing legislative support where necessary, exercising oversight where required, and always acting in the best interest of national unity, economic stability and social justice,” he said.

Akpabio expressed cautious optimism that ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, economic pressures, infrastructure deficits and youth unemployment would yield more tangible results in the coming year.

He said, “Our democracy is strengthened when institutions function properly and leaders remain accountable.

“The National Assembly will continue to work to strengthen these institutions and ensure that public policy is people-centred and forward-looking.”

Bukola Saraki:

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has advised Nigerians to avoid issues, actions, statements, and moves that could divide the country and set one part against the other in the new year.

In his New Year Message signed by the head of his Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that though the country currently faced major challenges in the areas of economy, infrastructure, national security, politics, and the development of its various institutions, he added that the ability to recover from the challenges lay in the unity of the different parts.

He added that the country stood a good chance of overcoming its various challenges once it stayed together in one piece and with peace reigning among the various groups “because its numerous resources overwhelmingly outweigh the challenges and can easily douse the various negative points.

“A united Nigeria just needs peace and proper coordination to rise and fulfill its manifest destiny as a global leader. That is why all Nigerians, young and old, should avoid any drift towards issues that will threaten the unity of the country.

“A country of over 200 million people whose majority are energetic, creative, and forward-looking youths with all the numerous potentials in the area of agriculture, mineral resources, oil, tourism potentials, and a positive climate is destined to be great.

“This is a country that will soon lead the world once we get the issue of leadership right and we have the right attitude and discipline among the citizenry.

“The current challenges are temporary. We shall overcome them in no time. That is why I enjoin all Nigerians to see 2026 as our national turning point.

“Let us see it as the year when we will embrace discipline, tolerance of each other’s viewpoints, avoid the fault lines, and generally adopt a positive attitude.

“There is no doubt that the best set of citizens any country can boast of are present in Nigeria – very determined, hardworking, focused, resilient, creative, and brilliant. That is why I see 2026 as a positive turning point for Nigeria.”

Rotimi Amaechi:

A former governor of Rivers State and the Immediate paste minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has prayed for peace, unity and prosperity in every household across Nigeria as the nation joins the rest of the world to celebrate 2026 New Year.

Amaechi, in the New Year message wrote: “My family and I extend our heartfelt wishes of peace and prosperity to every household across our beloved nation.

“The past year has indeed tested our resilience as a nation, with many families struggling under the unbearable weight of economic hardship, the unfortunate rising cost of living, and widespread insecurity.

“As we welcome the New Year, let us all commit to making a turning point in our national aspiration for peace, unity, improved security of lives and property, economic stability and prosperity, and the overall well-being of our people, by holding the government accountable.

“We must collectively demand leadership that is responsible, responsive, transparent, people-oriented, and accountable to the people.”

The former minister called on Nigerians to demand for economic reforms that would result in job creation, poverty reduction, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, affordable food, and quality education for all.

He also urged Nigerians to insist on political and electoral reforms that would provide a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

“We deserve a Nigeria where justice, fairness, and the rule of law are respected. For me, I will continue to stand firm with Nigerians, to speak truth to power, to challenge policies that deepen suffering, and to offer constructive direction that can restore dignity, honour, economic prosperity, improve security, and provide impactful purposeful political leadership to our nation.

“Nigeria’s greatness does not lie in the hands of a few elites or any ruling class, but in the determination of the millions of ordinary citizens.

“Together, we can build a country where opportunity and prosperity are not reserved for the privileged few, but shared by all. May this new year bring healing to our land, courage to our people, and a brighter future for generations to come. Happy New Year!” Amaechi said.

Ahmed Makarfi:

Former governor of Kaduna State,  Senator, Ahmed Makarfi, has urged Nigerians to enter the New Year with renewed resolve, unity and faith in the country.

He also appealed to governments at all levels to decisively tackle insecurity and ease the economic burdens facing citizens.

In his New Year message in Kaduna, Makarfi acknowledged the difficulties of the outgoing year, noting that it “tested our patience and resilience in the face of economic hardships, insecurity and other uncertainties.

“As we exit 2025, I extend greetings and best wishes to all Nigerians. As the past year tested our patience and resilience in the face of economic hardships, insecurity and other uncertainties, the new year offers us an opportunity to strengthen our resolve to confront and overcome our challenges together as a people united by shared hopes and a promising destiny,” he said.

The former governor emphasised courage, hard work and faith as essential virtues for national rebirth, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity remained its most valuable asset.

He said  the country must deliberately harness this endowment to rebuild hope and national cohesion.

“As we look ahead, we must continue to carry on with courage, industry and faith in the promise of Nigeria, leveraging on, among others the one big endowment that God has blessed us with, which is our diversity in both human and material resources”, Makarfi said.

He added that unity anchored on mutual respect and dialogue was critical to nation-building.

“Using this, we can rekindle hope and reinforce unity across all lines. As our diversity remains our biggest source of strength, we must continue to see and use it to engender mutual respect and sustained dialogue, so that together, all of us can deploy our disparate skills and expertise to build and bequeath a Nigeria worthy of the pride of this and upcoming generations of Nigerians,” he said.

Commenting on  governance, Makarfi called on federal, state and local governments to intensify efforts to address the twin challenges of insecurity and economic hardship confronting the nation.

“I appeal to governments at all levels to upscale efforts aimed at decisively wiping out all forms of insecurity that have been allowed to become seemingly intractable as well as introduce measures to ease the burdens imposed by the economic difficulties, ravaging the country,” he said.