Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended himself against criticism over his remarks on Muslims during a Senate debate, saying he has supported Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca for 25 years.
Akpabio spoke during plenary on Thursday while responding to the backlash over his comments during Tuesday’s consideration of the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, seeks to address issues relating to suicide prevention.
During the debate, Akpabio said some young people contemplate suicide because “they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.”
The remark reportedly drew criticism from commentators who accused him of disparaging Islam and Muslim beliefs.
Responding to the controversy, Akpabio said his comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted for political purposes.
“I love the Muslim religion. I send people to Mecca to pray for me and to pray for this country, and I do that even up to yesterday, and I have been doing that since the last 25 years,” he said.
The Senate president said he sponsored thousands of Muslims to the holy land while serving as governor, alongside Christians who travelled to Rome and Jerusalem.
According to him, he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.
Akpabio also cited his relationship with Muslim members of his staff, saying his aide-de-camp had been a Muslim for 19 years.
“My ADC for 19 years is a Muslim. I don’t recognise him as a Muslim. I recognise him as a brother; he’s from Azare in Bauchi State, the same thing with my CSO,” he said.
He expressed displeasure with television commentators whom he accused of misrepresenting discussions in the Senate for political reasons.
“So I don’t know why people go and sit down on television and they try to misinterpret what we say here because politics is coming,” he said.
Akpabio said disagreements were part of legislative proceedings, adding that lawmakers were expected to oppose or support one another while working towards making laws in the country’s interest.
“We want to make the best laws, so we are bound to oppose each other, and we are also bound to support each other,” he said.
He further rejected the association of terrorism with any particular religion, arguing that people who engage in suicide bombings should not use religion to justify violence.
“Terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others.
“The Muslim religion that I know forbids suicide; it forbids killing,” he added.
The Senate president urged Nigerians to consider the outcome of legislative proceedings when assessing debates in the chamber, saying lawmakers could express different opinions before reaching a final decision.
“No matter the discussion, please take the final decision of the Senate into consideration,” he said.
