Akpabio, senators in Lafia, pay last respect to late colleague, Akwashiki

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and several of his colleagues, on Saturday paid last respects to late Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Akwashiki, a Social Democratic Party (SDP) Senator, represented Nasarawa-North Senatorial District until his death on December 31, 2025.

Akpabio and his colleagues visited Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to be part of the funeral ceremonies.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, was also in attendance.

The Senate President condoled with the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and the family of the deceased.

Akpabio, who visited the residence of Akwashiki, sympathised with his widow, children and the extended family members, assuring them that they would not be abandoned.

Akpabio described the deceased as a politician of integrity who kept his word..

Addressing the window, he stated, “Today, we are here to tell you that you are not alone. Just be consoled that you have people. He has built bridges across the country. And those friends will be there supporting you even when you may not see some of them.”

While meeting with governor Sule earlier at the Government House, Lafia, Akpabio thanked him for the honour done to Akwashiki by giving the senator a befitting burial.

ALSO READ: 103-year-old woman burnt to death in Oyingbo fire outbreak

According to him, the passing of Akwashiki was one death too many after the loss of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra State and Senator Okey Ezea of Enugu State earlier.

He added, “Today in Nasarawa, we are not just mourning the demise of a son of Nasarawa State, we are mourning the demise of a man who had great potential in terms of what he would have contributed towards the development of Nasarawa State.

“Even as a Senator of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), he did not discriminate. He supported me and he was always very proud of what was happening in Nasarawa State.

“In the few months that he was active in the Senate, he proved himself as an erudite and very committed patriotic Nigerian.

“We have no words to describe what has happened. We feel the pain, the tragedy that was not foretold but we accept it as the will of God. Please accept our condolences.”

The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, described the senator as a sad moment for the minority caucus.

“For us in the minority Caucus, it is a very sad moment. We have been losing our members in the minority Caucus to other political parties, it is very tragic that this one, we are losing to death,” Moro said.