Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has rejected the association of terrorism with Islam or Christianity, saying people who commit acts of terror should not be identified with any particular religion.
Akpabio made the remarks on Thursday while responding to criticism of his comments during a Senate debate on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide.
“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.
His response followed criticism of remarks he made on Tuesday during the Senate’s consideration of the Suicide Prevention Bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District.
During the debate, Akpabio said some young people contemplate suicide because they believe “seven virgins await them in the afterlife”.
The remarks drew criticism from commentators who accused him of denigrating Muslims and their religious beliefs.
Responding to the criticism, Akpabio said his comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted for political purposes.
He argued that Islam prohibits suicide and killing, adding that religious teachings should not be used to justify acts of violence.
“The Muslim religion that I know forbids suicide; it forbids killing,” he said.
He also referred to Christianity, saying suicide was prohibited in his faith, and argued that discussions about suicide should distinguish between people experiencing mental health challenges and those who deliberately take their own lives while killing others.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to consider the context of legislative debates, saying lawmakers could disagree during deliberations while working towards making laws.
He also said more than 70 per cent of those destabilising Nigeria’s security were foreigners, although he did not provide supporting evidence for the claim in his remarks as reported by the media.
The Senate president further defended his relationship with Muslims, saying he had sponsored 5,800 Muslims to Mecca and more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem while serving as governor.
He added that more than 65 per cent of the people working for him were Muslims.
“There’s no way I will talk down on Muslim religion,” he said.
