Akpabio Under Fire Over ‘Seven Virgins’ Remarks On Suicide

According to a report by DAILY POST on Wednesday 14 October 2026; Paul Ibe, media aide to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his reported remarks linking suicide to the belief that seven virgins await people in the afterlife.

Ibe described the comment as insensitive and inappropriate, arguing that it trivialised mental health struggles and undermined the dignity of people experiencing emotional distress.

In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, he called on Akpabio to apologise to Nigerians, particularly individuals battling mental health challenges and those who felt offended by the religious reference.

The ADC chieftain’s aide questioned the rationale behind introducing what he described as a crude religious stereotype into a serious discussion about suicide and mental health.

“What exactly were you trying to achieve by introducing such a crude religious stereotype into a serious debate about mental health? Were you trying to entertain your colleagues or trivialise the suffering of vulnerable Nigerians?” he asked.

Ibe also opposed the criminalisation of attempted suicide, insisting that people who survive such incidents should be provided with medical care, psychological counselling and other forms of professional assistance rather than face imprisonment.

He argued that Nigeria’s economic difficulties, rising unemployment, poverty and widespread hopelessness have intensified the challenges confronting many citizens, making improved mental health services and social support increasingly necessary.

According to him, the government should prioritise policies that address the causes of despair instead of threatening vulnerable individuals with punishment.

“At a time when millions of Nigerians are battling crushing economic hardship, unemployment, poverty and hopelessness, the last thing they need is a Senate President threatening imprisonment for those who attempt suicide and survive,” he stated.

The former vice president’s aide further accused Akpabio of placing greater emphasis on punishment than on expanding access to psychiatric care, counselling services and other essential mental health resources.

He maintained that public officials should demonstrate empathy towards people experiencing psychological distress, particularly amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.

“You cannot govern people into hopelessness and then threaten to imprison them for manifesting that hopelessness,” Ibe added.

He subsequently urged the Senate President to withdraw the controversial remark and apologise to Nigerians, saying public discussions about suicide must be handled with sensitivity and responsibility.

Ibe also appealed to the National Assembly to review laws criminalising attempted suicide and introduce measures that would improve access to mental healthcare across the country.

He stressed that authorities should seek to understand the circumstances behind suicide attempts and help survivors recover instead of subjecting them to additional suffering.

“Mr Akpabio, when a Nigerian attempts suicide and survives, the question should not be how many years that person deserves in prison; It should be what drove that person to despair and how society can help them recover.

“A cry for help must never become an invitation to punishment,” he said.