The Senate has unanimously declared that there is no vacancy in the office of the Senate President, reaffirming Senator Godswill Akpabio’s position amid growing political tensions surrounding the leadership of the upper legislative chamber.
The resolution was reached on Thursday following Akpabio’s clarification of his controversial remarks on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide, which passed second reading on Tuesday.
Akpabio said his comments during the debate had been taken out of context, insisting that he would not make statements intended to disparage any religion.
He stressed that terrorism had no religious affiliation and maintained that those responsible for destabilising Nigeria should not be associated with the country’s interests.
The Senate President also noted that suicide was forbidden in Christianity, adding that discussions on decriminalising attempted suicide were consistent with evolving legislative practices.
He warned that anyone who killed others in the name of suicide should not expect to attain heaven or paradise, while urging television commentators to exercise caution in their interpretation and reporting of Senate proceedings.
To reinforce his position, Akpabio cited his long-standing relationship with his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), a Muslim who he said had served him for 19 years, insisting that he would never speak disparagingly about any religion.
Amid the heated exchange, Akpabio suggested that the Senate presidency had become a target of political attacks, noting that the positions of President and Vice President had already been settled.
Backing the position, Senator Fasuyi supported a motion moved by Senator Monguno, declaring that the office of the Senate President was not vacant and would remain occupied by Akpabio.
Similarly, Senator Babangida Hussaini commended Akpabio’s contributions to his state and expressed support for his continued leadership of the Senate.
Hussaini also called attention to the dangers of hard drugs and substance abuse, urging concerted efforts to tackle the menace, which he said contributed to criminality, banditry and terrorism in the country.
The Senate’s declaration followed Tuesday’s plenary, during which Akpabio reportedly sparked controversy while lawmakers considered a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a national framework for suicide prevention.
The Senate President was quoted as saying that anyone who attempted suicide in Nigeria should ensure they succeeded or risk imprisonment.
The remark reportedly came as Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, sponsor of the bill, outlined its objectives and explained the need to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical care, treatment and rehabilitation.
Ekpenyong argued that the proposed legislation would establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to enable government agencies, healthcare facilities, first responders and communities to prevent suicide and provide effective support to people at risk.
He maintained that survivors of suicide attempts should receive appropriate clinical attention rather than face prosecution and imprisonment.
According to him, police stations and correctional facilities should not be the default destinations for people experiencing mental health crises who require urgent medical intervention.
The lawmaker added that the bill would provide for coordinated suicide prevention services, including crisis helplines, referral systems and continued support for survivors.
He further argued that criminalising attempted suicide could have unintended consequences by encouraging people who attempt to take their lives to ensure their deaths rather than risk surviving and facing prosecution.
Responding to the argument, Akpabio reportedly questioned whether the proposed legislation was intended to prevent people from succeeding in their suicide attempts.
Ekpenyong affirmed that prevention was the objective but explained that the threat of imprisonment could discourage survivors from seeking help and potentially worsen the situation.
Akpabio, however, 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,” he was quoted as saying.
He was also reported to have suggested that individuals who survived suicide attempts could be imprisoned before undergoing rehabilitation.
The debate has highlighted the fundamental question underpinning the proposed legislation: whether survivors of suicide attempts should face criminal sanctions or receive medical and psychological assistance.
The bill seeks to replace punishment with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, ensuring that people experiencing suicidal crises can access appropriate care without the additional burden of criminal prosecution.
