Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he has supported Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca for 25 years and would not disparage the religion. Speaking during plenary on Thursday, Akpabio said he had consistently sent people to the holy city to pray for him and Nigeria, and insisted that his remarks during legislative proceedings had been taken out of context and misinterpreted for political purposes. He was responding to criticism over his comments on Tuesday during consideration of the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, when he said some young people contemplate suicide because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife. The remark drew criticism from commentators who accused him of making disparaging comments about Muslims and their religious beliefs.
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