I have sponsored over 5,000 muslims to Mecca, Akpabio to critics

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted allegations of making disparaging remarks against the Islamic faith, revealing that he has personally sponsored over 5,000 Muslims to Mecca for pilgrimage over the past 25 years.

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio addressed the backlash emanated due to his comments on the Suicide Prevention Bill. The controversy erupted on Tuesday when the Senate President suggested that some youths embrace suicide bombing under the false illusion that virgins await them in the afterlife.

Reacting to criticism from political actors, Akpabio stated that his comments were twisted out of context. He emphasised that true Islam forbids suicide and the taking of human life, explaining that terrorists belong to no religion.

“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. There’s no way I will talk down on Muslim religion, so people who go out there to talk should study the personalities involved,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate President disclosed that his Aide-de-Camp and Chief Security Officer have both been Muslims for the past 19 years. He urged Nigerians to focus on the final legislative resolutions of the Senate rather than weaponising debates for cheap political points.