Akpabio in a passionate plea for humanitarian action in the Gaza-Israeli conflict said, “We can no longer allow a child to die tonight.”
Godswill Akpabio, President of Nigeria’s Senate, called upon the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to take decisive steps towards ending the longstanding conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Speaking at the ongoing 148th Session of the IPU Assembly in Geneva, Akpabio urged fellow delegates to prioritize humanity over ego and national interests, stressing the need for collective efforts to bring sustainable peace to the war-torn region.
He said, “It is time for nations to rise above sentiments and invoke the spirit of humanity, by doing all it requires to bring sustainable peace to the region.”
Highlighting some resolutions that include access to humanitarian aid, restoration of normal life in Gaza, as well as meetings on a permanent truce.
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 our ego. It has nothing to do with which country brings the proposal. The basic tenets of humanity demand 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.
“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, the 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, means that both sides have agreed that the International Community can go to the next stage, which is negotiation for sustainable peace.” Akpabio added.
Acknowledging the complexities of the conflict, Akpabio urged delegates to set aside differences and work towards a comprehensive resolution that addresses the needs and concerns of all parties involved.
Noting that “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.
“Nothing is affecting Denmark, nothing is 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.
“Let them go aside, meet and remove those vexatious items. In the course of their discussions, we can have amendments, and we can add items that we should add but we must discuss the Gaza issue in this 148th IPU Assembly. That is my position,” he declared.
