THE Senate on Thursday unanimously resolved that there is no vacancy in the office of the Senate President, currently occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio, amid what lawmakers described as political attacks targeting the leadership of the upper chamber.
News Point Nigeria reports that the declaration followed comments by Akpabio during plenary, in which he cautioned members of the public against misinterpreting his remarks on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide, which scaled second reading on Tuesday.
Read also: ‘If You Attempt Suicide, Make Sure You Die’, Akpabio Opposes Bill To Scrap Jail Term
Akpabio said his comments on the proposed legislation were being twisted, stressing that terrorists have no religion and that those destabilising the country are not Nigerians.
He added that suicide is forbidden in Christianity and maintained that discussions on decriminalising attempted suicide were consistent with modern legislative practice.
The Senate President warned that anyone who kills others in the name of suicide should not expect to enter heaven or paradise, while urging television commentators to exercise caution and avoid misrepresenting proceedings of the Senate.
He further disclosed that his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) of 19 years is a Muslim, insisting that he would never make disparaging remarks about any religion.
In an atmosphere that had become increasingly charged, Akpabio went on to declare that, with the positions of President and Vice-President already settled, the Senate Presidency had become the target of political attacks.
Supporting the position, Senator Fasuyi backed a motion moved by Senator Monguno, affirming that the seat of the Senate President was not vacant and would remain occupied by Akpabio.
Another lawmaker, Senator Babangida Hussaini, also reaffirmed Akpabio’s contributions to his state and endorsed his return, while raising concerns over the prevalence of hard drugs and substance abuse.
Hussaini said the challenges must be addressed to defuel criminality, banditry and terrorism across the country.
The Senate’s declaration comes two days after Akpabio was alleged to have said that anyone who attempted suicide in Nigeria must succeed or risk being sent to prison, during deliberations on a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a framework for suicide prevention.
Akpabio was said to have made the remarks while Senator Asuquo was explaining the provisions and objectives of the proposed legislation.
Presenting the bill, Asuquo said it would replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with a system focused on medical assessment, treatment, referral and continued support for survivors.
Read also: How Neighbours Discovered Senator Bello Mandiya’s Body After Three Days In Abuja, Ningi Tells Senate
“The bill goes beyond removing criminal penalties. It establishes a coherent legal and institutional framework through which government agencies, health facilities, first responders and communities can prevent suicide and respond effectively when a person is at risk,” the Senate President was quoted to have said.
He explained that, under the proposed framework, people who survive suicide attempts would receive appropriate clinical care rather than face prosecution and imprisonment.
“A police station or correctional facility should not be the default destination for a person who requires urgent clinical care,” Asuquo said.
He added that the bill would also provide a basis for coordinated suicide prevention services, including crisis helplines, referral pathways and follow-up support for survivors.
Explaining the consequences of criminalising attempted suicide, the senator was reported to have said that the existing law could encourage people attempting suicide to ensure that they died rather than survive and face prosecution.
Responding, Akpabio was quoted as asking whether the proposed law was intended to prevent people from succeeding in their suicide attempts.
Asuquo answered in the affirmative but clarified that the problem lay in the threat of imprisonment for those who survived.
“The fact that you can go to jail and go to prison for attempting and surviving suicide ensures that the person attempting suicide will do everything within his power to ensure that he kills himself,” he said.
Akpabio, however, allegedly 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,” the Senate President said.
He was subsequently alleged to have added that a person who failed to die by suicide could be sent to prison and later rehabilitated.
Read also: Tinubu Sends NDLEA, Safety Investigation Bureau, National School Of Government Bills To Senate
The exchange highlighted the central argument behind the proposed legislation: whether survivors of suicide attempts should face criminal prosecution or receive medical and psychological support.
The bill seeks to shift the response from punishment to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, ensuring that people experiencing suicidal crises can access appropriate care rather than face prosecution for surviving an attempt.
