Senator Godswill Akpabio, in his capacity as Senate President, has urged the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to play a pivotal role in advocating for sustainable peace in the conflict-ridden Gaza region.
Akpabio stressed the imperative for countries to move beyond prejudices and embrace a humanitarian approach, taking all necessary actions to foster enduring peace in the area.
Participating in talks at the ongoing 148th Session of the International Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, the President of the Senate shared his thoughts.
The Chairman of Nigeria’s National Assembly suggested that critical resolutions should encompass providing access to humanitarian relief, rebuilding normalcy in Gaza, and convening continual negotiations for a sustainable ceasefire.
In a statement on Monday, by his Special Assistant On Media (Print), Jackson Udom, Akpabio said, ”Madam President, this is a lone voice from Nigeria. We tried our best in Angola and we failed to lend a collective voice to what is happening in Gaza. Today, the world is very expectant. We must drop ego. It has nothing to do with which country brings the proposal. The basic tenets of humanity demands that we leave here with a resolution for the rest of the world, to show that we have human feelings in us.
“The issues are very clear. If you notice the proposal for 12 blocs; they attempted to even marry the proposals from South Africa. Yes! South Africa has a right to be emotional, but we have children who are dying even as we are talking now. We have people who do not have water to drink even as we are talking now. We have people who are going to suffer infection from gunshots.
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“We have to show the world that we are human beings. The cessation of hostilities must be a part of our resolutions. Access to humanitarian aid must be a part of our resolutions. At the same time, release of hostages and even those who are Prisoners of War, because if both sides take steps in releasing the hostages, releasing the Prisoners of War, it means that both sides have agreed that the International Community can go to the next stage, which is negotiation for sustainable peace.
“If they cannot agree, I would urge that from here, we have a three-man drafting committee to come up with those resolutions which we must make before we leave here. We can no longer allow a child to die tonight, without lending our voice. It doesn’t matter which side. We are all parents. If we come here to look for ego and then, try to be emotional, it’s not affecting them.
“There’s nothing affecting Denmark, there’s nothing affecting South Africa. The people affected are over there and nobody will agree to the lone resolution from Israel. It must be all-encompassing, so that we stand up from here as human beings. That would be my plea.
He further suggested that they should set aside time to convene and address those troublesome matters. He proposed that during their deliberations, they could consider revisions and include additional points deemed necessary. However, he insisted that the Gaza matter must be deliberated upon during the 148th IPU Assembly, emphasizing it as his stance.