Government needs moral compass of church, Akpabio tells Catholic bishops

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says governance in the country needs the church’s moral compass. 

Akpabio spoke on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the second plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom state.

He said parliament cannot function effectively without guidance from the church.

“No parliament, however mighty, can govern a people without their soul,” he said.

“And the soul of a nation is nurtured by the church. Thus the Psalmist proclaims: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.’”

Akpabio said pulpit and parliament, altar and assembly, should not be seen as rivals but allies working for the common good.

“Faith and governance are not enemies but allies, marching together for the good of the people,” he said.

“The voice of conscience must never be silent, and the hand of government must never be deaf to wisdom from the altar.”

The senate president cited examples from Poland, Latin America and South Korea where church–state collaboration contributes to social justice, democracy and prosperity.

He also praised the Nigerian church for standing up during the military era, recalling the roles of late Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka and Cardinal Anthony Okogie in resisting dictatorship.

Akpabio said the 10th senate has made efforts to legislate with conscience, noting laws on student loans, minimum wage, and tariff controls as examples of parliament working for the welfare of citizens.

He pledged the support of the senate to faith-based institutions in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

“As president of the senate, I pledge before you that we shall continue to stand with the church in this sacred work,” he said.

“Your voice is not ornamental, it is essential; your counsel is not optional, it is indispensable.”

Akpabio implored Nigerians to be patient with government, saying nation-building requires time, sacrifice, and collective effort.

“A nation is like a mighty cathedral — it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to renew hope in the country and embrace unity, adding that transformation requires church and state working together.