Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday urged Nigerian lawyers to firmly reject any suggestion of a coup as a solution to the nation’s challenges.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos, Akpabio warned that a coup would only strip Nigerians of their freedom.
He stressed the necessity of a cultural shift in attitudes and mindsets, urging lawyers to set an example by embracing integrity, courage, and a commitment to justice.
“We believe strongly that there is no stain in our country that we cannot erase if we stand together in brotherhood,” Daily Trust quoted Akpabio as saying.
Highlighting the collective power of legal professionals, Akpabio reminded them, “We are not merely a crowd. We are a very formidable force for positive change in Africa.”
The Senate President also called for a transformation in thinking, insisting that lawyers must lead the way in changing attitudes and cultural paradigms.
“We must transform our minds, not only to transform Nigeria, not only to transform West Africa, but to transform the entire world,” he urged.
Supporting Akpabio’s call to action, former Ghanaian President John Mahama, the guest speaker at the event, challenged African legal professionals to play a more proactive role in shaping the continent’s future.
Speaking on the theme “The Future of Africa in the Midst of Rising Security, Economic, and Political Challenges,” Mahama stressed the importance of legal reforms, economic diversification, and youth empowerment to tackle Africa’s enduring issues.
He also provided a historical perspective on Africa’s post-colonial challenges, pointing out that despite progress in democratic governance, economic development remains hindered by structural weaknesses such as over-reliance on commodity exports and the underdevelopment of crucial sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
