‘Terrorists are not Muslims or Christians’ – Akpabio warns against religious division

* Senate President cites sponsorship of 5,800 Muslims for Hajj, over 10,000 Christians for pilgrimages

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned against religious division and the misinterpretation of lawmakers’ comments during debates, insisting that terrorists should not be identified with any religion.

Akpabio gave the warning during plenary on Thursday, October 15, while responding to criticism of his remarks during a Senate debate on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide.

The controversy followed his reference to the belief that seven virgins awaited suicide attackers in paradise during Tuesday’s consideration of the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District.

‘Terrorists Are Not #Muslims or #Christians’ — Akpabio Warns Against Religious Division

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned against religious division and the misinterpretation of lawmakers’ comments during debates.

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His remarks attracted criticism from commentators who considered the reference insensitive to Muslims.

Akpabio, however, urged Nigerians to understand the context of legislative debates and avoid drawing conclusions from individual contributions before the Senate reaches a final decision.

“Distinguished senators, I would have loved to avoid making comments on this issue, but I just want to drop a word of caution,” he said.

“When we discuss here, we discuss for and against, and in the course of our discussions, whatever we say should not anger anybody outside this chamber. Because at the end, what matters is our final decision.”

Recalling the debate, Akpabio referred to a comment made during the proceedings about terrorists who believe that killing themselves and others would earn them a place in paradise.

Rejecting the association of terrorism with any religious group, he said, “But I want you to know that terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others.”

Akpabio urged Nigerians to distinguish between positions individual lawmakers express during debates and the Senate’s eventual decisions, stressing that discussions should not provoke unnecessary anger or deepen religious divisions.

“We want to make the best laws, so we are bound to oppose each other, and we are also bound to support each other,” he said.

“No matter the discussion, please take the final decision of the Senate into consideration.”

Says He Sponsored 5,800 Muslims for Hajj

To reinforce his position that he was not hostile towards Muslims, Akpabio cited his record of supporting religious pilgrimages, saying he sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the Holy Land during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The Senate President said he had supported Muslims travelling to Mecca to pray for him and Nigeria for about 25 years, adding that his support for religious pilgrimages also extended to Christians.

“I love the Muslim religion. I send people to Makkah to pray for me and to pray for this country, and I do that even up to yesterday, and I have been doing that since the last 25 years,” he said.

According to Akpabio, he also sponsored more than 10,000 Christians to Rome and Jerusalem while serving as governor.

He further cited his relationships with Muslim members of his staff, including his aide-de-camp, whom he said had served with him for 19 years.

“My ADC for 19 years is a Muslim. I don’t recognise him as a Muslim. I recognise him as a brother; he’s from Azare in Bauchi State. The same thing with my CSO,” he said.

Akpabio added that more than 65 per cent of the people working for him were Muslims, arguing that his relationships with them contradicted suggestions that he would deliberately speak against their faith.

“There’s no way I will talk down on Muslim religion,” he said.

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