The African Democratic Congress has condemned Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his reported “seven virgins” comment during a Senate debate on attempted suicide.
ADC described the remark as insensitive and urging lawmakers to treat suicide attempts as a mental health issue rather than a crime.
The party also criticised Akpabio’s reported support for retaining imprisonment as punishment for people who survive suicide attempts, warning that criminal penalties could discourage vulnerable people from seeking help.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated the party’s position in a statement issued on Wednesday following the controversy surrounding the Senate President’s comments during Tuesday’s plenary.
In a video circulating online, Akpabio was heard saying that one reason death might appear attractive to some young people was that “they have seven virgins waiting for them”.
The remark reportedly came as senators considered the National Suicide Prevention Bill.
Reacting, the ADC said the comment introduced religious stereotyping into a debate that should focus on preventing suicide and protecting human life.
“We find the ‘seven virgins’ remark particularly disturbing because it introduces religious stereotyping into a discussion that should be about protecting human life,” the party said.
It described the comment as careless and insensitive, arguing that discussions about suicide required seriousness and compassion because of the risk to human life.
The opposition party maintained that people who survive suicide attempts needed counselling, medical treatment and emotional support rather than prosecution and imprisonment.
It also called for the abolition of laws criminalising attempted suicide, describing them as a colonial-era inheritance that treated people experiencing severe psychological distress as offenders instead of individuals needing care.
“It is shameful that, when presented with an opportunity to reform this punitive inheritance, the head of the Senate chose to champion its preservation,” the ADC said.
The party warned that the threat of imprisonment could worsen the distress of vulnerable people and prevent them from seeking professional help or disclosing suicidal thoughts.
“A position that leaves a suicidal person with only the choice of death or imprisonment does not discourage suicide. It encourages it,” the statement added.
Under Section 231 of the Criminal Code applicable in southern Nigeria, attempted suicide is a misdemeanour punishable by imprisonment. Section 327 of the Penal Code applicable in northern Nigeria also criminalises attempted suicide.
Mental health advocates have called for a shift from punishment to prevention, arguing that criminalisation can deepen stigma and discourage people in crisis from seeking assistance.
The ADC urged lawmakers to prioritise suicide prevention, counselling, treatment and support services as they consider legislation on the issue.
The controversy has renewed debate over whether Nigeria’s laws on attempted suicide adequately address the needs of people experiencing mental health crises and whether criminal penalties serve as an effective deterrent.
