Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended his comments about Muslims, insisting that he has supported pilgrimages to Mecca for 25 years and would never insult Islam.
Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, he said his remarks during Tuesday’s debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026 had been taken out of context for political reasons.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River South, seeks to address suicide prevention.
During the debate, Akpabio said some young people consider suicide because “they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.” His comment drew criticism from people who accused him of disrespecting Muslims.
Akpabio said disagreements among lawmakers were normal and should not be presented as attacks on religious groups.
“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.
He added that, as governor, he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the holy land and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.
Akpabio also said many of his staff members were Muslims, including his ADC of 19 years, whom he described as a brother from Azare, Bauchi State.
“Terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others,” he said.
He maintained that Islam forbids suicide and killing, while urging lawmakers to consider mental health challenges and existing provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to judge Senate debates by their outcomes.
“No matter the discussion, please take the final decision of the senate into consideration,” he said.
