ABUJA — Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under severe criticism following controversial remarks linking suicide attempts to the afterlife belief of receiving seven virgins.
Reacting to the statement, Paul Ibe, media aide to African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Atiku Abubakar, condemned the Senate leader’s comments as insensitive and damaging to national conversations surrounding mental health.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Ibe urged Akpabio to issue an unreserved apology to Nigerians, particularly individuals currently battling severe emotional distress and mental health challenges. He questioned the motive behind introducing religious stereotypes into critical discussions on psychological well-being, suggesting such remarks trivialize the suffering of vulnerable citizens.
