Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on political leaders and their supporters to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no electoral prize is worth the life of a Nigerian.

Akpabio made the call on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after its annual recess, while identifying insecurity, flooding and the high cost of living among the pressing national concerns requiring attention.

SEE MORE: Senate Approves Bill to Create Agency for Recovered Assets

The Senate President expressed concern over the abduction of Nigerians in Marisa and at Dekera Mosque, saying sympathy alone was not enough to address the situation.

He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those held captive and protect vulnerable communities with renewed vigour.

On the economy, Akpabio urged political and economic leaders to ensure that ongoing reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Turning to the 2027 elections, he called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns, urging political actors to avoid actions that could lead to violence and loss of lives.

Akpabio stressed that no electoral prize was worth the life of any Nigerian.

Tinubu’s Communications Before Senate

During the sitting, six communications from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were read before the Senate.

The communications included requests for confirmation of appointments, approval of the 2026 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as establishment bills.

One of the bills seeks to establish the National Research and Development Fund.

The communications and bills were referred to the relevant Senate committees for consideration and further legislative action.

The Senate also mourned the deaths of former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris and the late Emir of Gumel, Ahmed Muhammad Sani.

The latest resumption followed an earlier postponement of the Senate and House of Representatives’ plenary.

The National Assembly had initially been scheduled to resume from its annual recess on September 15, 2026, but the resumption was postponed to September 29 to allow ongoing rehabilitation and renovation work in the legislative chambers to be completed.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status following his absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The NDC made the demand in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Monday, September 28, 2026, expressing what it described as “profound disappointment and grave concern” over Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders.

ALSO READ: ‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence

According to the party, this marks the third consecutive time since Tinubu assumed office in 2023 that the President has failed to attend UNGA in person.

The NDC said Nigerians had for weeks been told by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, that President Tinubu would attend the General Assembly and would be seated close to United States President Donald Trump.

The party, however, said the Presidency announced on September 20 that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been “mandated” to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

The NDC also questioned Tinubu’s reported extended stay in Europe, saying the President left Nigeria on August 30 and extended his stay in Paris indefinitely.

The party alleged that the President had spent more than three weeks outside the country on what it described as a “so-called vacation” without formally transmitting power.

The NDC described the situation as “unpresidential, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” arguing that the country had been left without the President physically present in Nigeria and without the President attending the UNGA.

NDC Raises Constitutional Questions

The party cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.

The NDC alleged that Tinubu did not formally transmit such a declaration during his extended absence.

The party questioned why, in its words, the President was “always afraid” of transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly.

It further alleged that at one point Nigeria was effectively on “autopilot,” claiming that the President, Vice President and Senate President were all outside the country.

The NDC therefore called for compliance with Section 145 whenever the President is away or unable to perform the functions of his office.

NDC Questions Diplomatic Cost Of UNGA Absence

The party also challenged the significance of Nigeria being represented by the Vice President rather than the President at the UNGA.

The NDC argued that the annual gathering is more than the formal speeches delivered by world leaders, stressing that UNGA provides opportunities for presidents and heads of government to hold bilateral meetings and negotiate issues affecting their countries.

According to the party, such engagements include discussions on foreign direct investment, debt relief, climate finance, global financial reforms and security cooperation.

The NDC claimed that Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level could result in what it described as losses in direct foreign investment engagements, leverage on global financial reform, strategic security partnerships and Nigeria’s international standing.

The party also argued that the development could diminish Nigeria’s position as the “Giant of Africa.”

It maintained that presidential diplomacy cannot simply be outsourced to representatives.

NDC Contrasts Nigeria’s UNGA Presence With Ghana

The NDC further compared Nigeria’s representation at UNGA with the participation of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

The party said Mahama delivered what it described as a “statesmanlike performance” at UNGA 81, addressing issues including Africa’s position on debt justice, climate reparations and restoring trust in multilateralism.

The NDC said that while Ghana commanded attention at the gathering, Nigeria’s presidential seat was empty.

“Mahama spoke for Africa; Nigeria was spoken for,” the party stated.

NDC Criticises 15-Minute Speech Explanation

The party also criticised comments attributed to Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim concerning the duration of a presidential speech at the General Assembly.

The NDC said the argument that President Tinubu could not travel to New York merely “to speak for just 15 minutes” demonstrated, in its view, a misunderstanding of international diplomacy.

According to the party, every world leader is allocated a limited speaking period at the General Assembly, but the importance of UNGA extends beyond the formal speeches.

The NDC argued that the remaining time is used for high-level bilateral engagements, negotiations and diplomatic interactions, describing these activities as the “corridor diplomacy” through which important international decisions are pursued.

The party said the President’s absence therefore meant that Nigeria could not personally participate in those presidential-level engagements.

NDC Issues Three Demands

The NDC called for the immediate disclosure of President Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status.

It also demanded that the President comply with Section 145 of the Constitution whenever he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.

The party further called for an end to what it described as an “imperial presidency” that treats accountability as an afterthought.

The NDC said Nigeria, with more than 200 million citizens, could not be effectively governed through delegation and press releases.

“A nation of over 200 million people cannot be run by delegation and press release. Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” the statement said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received political office seekers formerly affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and their supporters from four states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors are from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states.

SEE MORE: 2027: APC Chairman Yilwatda Leads Three-Day Strategic Retreat in Borno

The group, led by Mohammed Hassan Mai Solar and Aslan Aliyu, said their decision to join the ruling APC was influenced by what they described as the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

They also cited the political structure of the APC, which they said promotes trust, a level playing field and justice for all.

Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted what he described as major transformations taking place across Northern Nigeria.

Yilwatda pointed to developments in road infrastructure, energy reforms, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various empowerment initiatives as notable programmes of the Tinubu administration.

He urged the new members and their supporters to rally behind the APC, stressing the importance of continuity and progress.