Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed for prayers and local action to restore peace in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria. He made the remarks while welcoming defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Jos Polo Field.
“We are calling on God the Almighty to help us at the centre to bring peace to Plateau. Anybody that will rule Plateau must be committed to peace. This is the only party that cares for you. I stand here representing the President and to assure you that we will do everything possible to ensure you have peace. It is not people outside that will come and give you peace. It is we that must bring peace. We must live in peace with one another.”
Mr. Akpabio stressed that peace must come from within the country, not from foreign actors. He said he spoke for the President in promising that the federal government will work to help bring calm to the state.
“Let me assure the people of Plateau State that your concerns are going to be addressed. I cry whenever I hear the killing of a human being, whether a child or an adult.”
He also noted that the security problems seen today began many years ago and are not new to the current administration. Mr. Akpabio said reports about large‑scale attacks date back more than a decade and recalled his own experience as a former governor at that time.
“This problem we are having now did not start today; so many people have died in Plateau. Nigeria is crying out. A lot of blood has been shed, and we are not happy. The President of Nigeria is equally not happy.”
“The whole thing started in 2010. Most of the reports you are hearing, that they are using internationally, were reports prepared in 2010. At that time, I was a governor, and I know how people were killed everywhere.”
Mr. Akpabio said federal and state leaders must work together to address the causes of violence and restore normal life for the people of Plateau.
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