Suicide is not a comedy, mental illness is not a punchline — Paul Ibe to Akpabio

Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his recent comments on suicide, describing the remarks as insensitive and inappropriate.

Ibe said suicide should not be treated as a joke or crime, arguing that people who contemplate taking their own lives often need help, compassion and professional support.

He was reacting to Akpabio’s suggestion that some young Nigerians contemplate death because they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.

Ibe described the comment as “bigoted, insensitive, offensive” and beneath the dignity of the office of the Senate President.

He questioned the rationale for introducing what he described as a religious stereotype into a serious discussion on mental health, asking whether the remark was intended to entertain lawmakers or trivialise the suffering of vulnerable Nigerians.

According to Ibe, suicide, mental illness and psychological distress should not be treated as subjects for ridicule, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are facing economic hardship, unemployment, poverty and hopelessness.

He also criticised the suggestion of imprisonment for people who attempt suicide and survive, arguing that punishment would not address the circumstances that pushed them into despair.

Ibe called instead for improved mental health services, psychiatric facilities, counselling and social protection to support Nigerians experiencing psychological distress.

“You cannot govern people into hopelessness and then threaten to imprison them for manifesting that hopelessness,” he said.

He urged Akpabio to apologise to Nigerians, particularly people battling mental health challenges and those who may have felt offended by the religious reference.

Ibe also called on the Senate to proceed with efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide while strengthening access to mental healthcare.

He argued that when a person survives a suicide attempt, the focus should be on understanding what drove the individual to despair and providing the support needed for recovery, rather than determining how long the person should spend in prison