The media adviser to former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his comments during deliberations on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026.
In a post on Wednesday, Ibe said suicide should be treated as a public health and mental health issue rather than a criminal offence.
He described remarks attributed to Akpabio during Tuesday’s debate, including his reference to religious beliefs, as inappropriate for a discussion on mental health.
Ibe urged the Senate to address issues such as economic hardship and access to mental health services, noting that millions of Nigerians were struggling with financial pressures.
He said people contemplating suicide needed compassion, professional assistance and social support, warning that the threat of imprisonment for survivors of suicide attempts could discourage them from seeking help.
Ibe called on Akpabio to apologise to Nigerians, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges. He also urged the Senate to advance the bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide while improving access to mental healthcare.
According to him, when someone survives a suicide attempt, the priority should be to understand the circumstances that led to it and provide the necessary support for recovery.
Akpabio opposed the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026 during plenary on Tuesday, 13 October.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria and replace criminal penalties with medical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and support services.
While presenting the bill, Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s existing laws were contradictory. He noted that the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, while Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code still criminalise the act.
During the debate, Akpabio maintained that attempted suicide should remain a crime, insisting that survivors should face imprisonment.
“As far as we are concerned, we are saying that suicide is a crime for now. Therefore, if you attempt it, you better succeed. If you don’t succeed, we will send you to prison,” he said.
He reiterated: “If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you. So, if you attempt it, you better succeed.”
Despite Akpabio’s opposition, the Senate passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the relevant committees for further consideration, including a public hearing.
His comments have since attracted criticism on social media and in media reports, with many describing them as insensitive to mental health concerns.