A file photo of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio
The Senate on Thursday unanimously took a resolution declaring that there is no vacancy in the office of the Senate President currently being held by Sen. Godswill Akpabio.
The declaration followed comments during plenary by Akpabio, who cautioned the public against misinterpreting his comments on the bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide.
Sen. Akpabio, who said his remarks on the bill (which scaled second reading on Tuesday) were being twisted, underscored that terrorists have no religion and that those destabilising the country are not Nigerians.
He added that suicide is forbidden as a Christian, and that discussions around decriminalisation are in line with modern legislative practice.
He warned that no one who kills others in the name of suicide should expect heaven or paradise and urged television commentators to be wary of misrepresenting Senate proceedings.
He further noted that his ADC of 19 years is a Muslim, insisting he would never speak disparagingly about any religion.
In a now charged atmosphere, the Senate President continued by announcing that with the positions of President and Vice President already settled, the Senate Presidency is now the target of political attacks.
In support, Senator Fasuyi backed the motion by Senator Monguno, affirming that the seat of the Senate President is not vacant and will remain occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Meanwhile, another lawmaker, Sen. Babangida Hussaini, reaffirmed Akpabio’s contributions to his state, endorsed his return, and raised concerns over hard drugs and substance abuse, which he said must be addressed to defuel criminality, bandits, and terrorism in the country.
Akpabio, on Tuesday’s plenary, was alleged to have said that anyone who attempted suicide in Nigeria must succeed or risk being sent to prison, as the Senate debated a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a framework for suicide prevention.
Akpabio was said to have made the remarks while Senator Asuquo was explaining the provisions and objectives of the proposed legislation.
Presenting the bill, Asuquo had said it would replace the criminal punishment for attempted suicide with a system focused on medical assessment, treatment, referral and continued support for survivors.
“The bill goes beyond removing criminal penalties. It establishes a coherent legal and institutional framework through which government agencies, health facilities, first responders and communities can prevent suicide and respond effectively when a person is at risk,” the Senate President was quoted to have said.
He explained that under the proposed framework, people who survive suicide attempts would receive appropriate clinical care rather than face prosecution and imprisonment.
“A police station or correctional facility should not be the default destination for a person who requires urgent clinical care,” Asuquo said.
He added that the bill would also provide a basis for coordinated suicide prevention services, including crisis helplines, referral pathways and follow-up support for survivors.
Explaining the consequences of criminalising attempted suicide, the senator was reported to have said the existing law could encourage people attempting suicide to ensure that they died rather than survive and face prosecution.
Responding, Akpabio was quoted to have asked whether the proposed law was intended to prevent people from succeeding in their suicide attempts.
Asuquo answered in the affirmative but clarified that the problem was the threat of imprisonment for those who survived.
“The fact that you can go to jail and go to prison for attempting and surviving suicide ensures that the person attempting suicide will do everything within his power to ensure that he kills himself,” he said.
Akpabio, however, allegedly maintained that attempted suicide remained a criminal offence under the existing legal framework.
“But that’s what we are saying now, that as far as we are concerned, we are saying that suicide is a crime for now. And therefore, if you attempt it, you better succeed. If you don’t succeed, we will send you to prison,” the Senate President said.
He subsequently alleged to have added that a person who failed to die by suicide could be sent to prison and later rehabilitated.
The exchange highlighted the central argument behind the proposed legislation: whether survivors of suicide attempts should face criminal prosecution or receive medical and psychological support.
The bill seeks to shift the response from punishment to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, to ensure that people experiencing suicidal crises can access appropriate care.
