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‘I Love Muslim Religion’ – Akpabio Makes Shocking Declaration.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared his affection and respect for Islam, revealing that he has sponsored Muslim pilgrims to Mecca for 25 years and would not make derogatory remarks about a religion he holds in high regard.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Akpabio made the statement during Thursday’s plenary while responding to criticism over his recent comments about suicide and beliefs surrounding rewards in the afterlife.

He explained that he had consistently sponsored Muslims to visit the holy city of Mecca to pray for him and Nigeria, insisting that his remarks during Senate deliberations had been taken out of context and given political interpretations.

The controversy arose from comments he made on Tuesday during discussions on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District.

During the debate, Akpabio said some young people consider suicide because “they believe seven virgins await them in the afterlife.”

The remark attracted criticism from some commentators, who accused the Senate president of making disparaging statements about Muslims and their religious beliefs.

Responding to the backlash, Akpabio maintained that disagreements were a normal part of legislative debates as lawmakers worked towards developing effective laws for the country.

“I love the Muslim religion. I send people to Mecca to pray for me and to pray for this country, and I do that even up to yesterday, and I have been doing that since the last 25 years,” he said.

The Senate president also criticised television commentators, accusing some of misrepresenting discussions held during Senate proceedings for political reasons.

“So I don’t know why people go and sit down on television and they try to misinterpret what we say here because politics is coming,” he added.

To reinforce his position, Akpabio referred to his record as a former governor, claiming that he had sponsored thousands of Muslims to the holy land and Christians to Rome and Jerusalem.

According to him, he facilitated pilgrimages for 5,800 Muslims and more than 10,000 Christians during his time in public service.

He further stated that several Muslims had worked closely with him over the years and that his relationships with them were built on brotherhood and mutual respect.

“My ADC for 19 years is a Muslim. I don’t recognize him as a Muslim. I recognize him as a brother; he’s from Azare in Bauchi State, the same thing with my CSO,” he said.

Akpabio added that many members of his staff were Muslims, insisting that he had no reason to disrespect Islam.

“There’s no way I will talk down on Muslim religion, so people who go out there to talk should study the personalities involved,” he stated.

‘Terrorists Are Neither Muslims Nor Christians’

Akpabio also cautioned against associating terrorism with any particular religion, arguing that those who commit violent acts should not use religious beliefs to justify taking their own lives or killing others.

“Terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others,” he said.

He maintained that, as he understood it, Islam prohibits suicide and the killing of others.

“The Muslim religion that I know forbids suicide; it forbids killing,” he added.

The Senate president also referenced provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code concerning suicide, urging lawmakers to carefully examine the matter. He stressed the need to distinguish between individuals experiencing mental health challenges and those who deliberately take their own lives.

According to him, deliberations on the Suicide Prevention Bill should focus on developing legislation that addresses suicide and related concerns rather than becoming dominated by controversy over his comments.

Akpabio reiterated that disagreements among lawmakers were an essential part of the legislative process, noting that opposing and supporting different positions were necessary to produce effective laws.

“I don’t like the idea of people sitting down on television and trying to misinterpret what we discuss here in the Senate,” he said.

“We want to make the best laws, so we are bound to oppose each other, and we are also bound to support each other.”

He urged Nigerians to consider the Senate’s final decisions when evaluating debates and discussions held in the chamber.

“No matter the discussion, please take the final decision of the Senate into consideration,” Akpabio said.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor also called on Nigerians to pay greater attention to the issues under consideration rather than what he described as attempts to damage public officials’ reputations by misrepresenting their statements.

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Atiku Asked To Step Down? Kwankwaso Makes Position Clear During Fulani Delegation Visit.

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The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has revealed that he urged a delegation of Fulani people who visited him to persuade the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kwankwaso disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

He explained that the delegation had visited his residence for a courtesy call, adding that he used the opportunity to encourage its members to speak with Atiku about stepping down from the presidential contest.

According to him, the visitors came from different parts of the country, and he urged them to make the appeal before returning to their respective communities.

“I met with a group of Fulani people from across the country who came for a courtesy visit to my house, and I felt it was an opportunity for me to talk to them,” Kwankwaso said.

“I asked them to create time before going back to their towns and villages to talk to Atiku to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election,” he added.

Reflecting on his relationship with Atiku and their previous political engagements, the former Kano State governor said he had worked closely with the former vice-president in the past.

“Atiku is somebody that I know fairly well, and I have done so much together with him in the past, more than anybody who is around him today,” Kwankwaso stated.

Meanwhile, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that Kwankwaso had reservations about joining the ADC.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Lawal said he persuaded both Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso to consider joining the ADC.

According to Lawal, Kwankwaso was concerned that Atiku’s presence in the party could undermine its prospects, as he reportedly feared that the party would struggle to make progress with the former vice-president in its ranks.

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2027 Election: APC Unveils Nationwide Campaign Rally Timetable For Tinubu.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its nationwide campaign rally timetable, outlining planned activities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the schedule published by the party on X on Thursday, Kaduna State will host the official campaign flag-off on October 24, 2026, with President Bola Tinubu expected to attend.

The campaign activities will continue in November, beginning with a rally in Calabar on November 2. Other scheduled locations include Gombe on November 3, Ado-Ekiti on November 5 and Port Harcourt on November 7.

The APC has also listed Abakaliki for November 9, Akure for November 11, Benin City for November 12, Jos for November 14, Damaturu for November 16, Birnin Kebbi for November 17, Uyo for November 18, Awka for November 19 and Ibadan for November 21.

Further rallies are scheduled to take place in Maiduguri on November 25, Enugu on November 28, Bauchi on November 29 and Makurdi on November 30.

APC Releases December Campaign Timetable

The party’s campaign activities will continue into December, with Katsina scheduled for December 2, Abeokuta for December 3, Lafia for December 4, Sokoto for December 5, Umuahia for December 7 and Lokoja for December 8.

According to the timetable, the APC will move to Osogbo on December 9, while rallies in Ilorin and Dutse are scheduled for December 10.

Other locations include Asaba on December 12, Gusau on December 14, Yenagoa on December 15 and Minna on December 16.

The schedule further lists Kano for December 17, Jalingo for December 19 and Abuja for December 21.

Owerri is expected to host the final rally listed on the timetable on December 30.

The nationwide campaign schedule forms part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the party planning rallies across the country ahead of the polls.

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2027 Election: Showunmi Backs Tinubu, Reveals Why He Believes President Is Wiser Than Rivals.

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has described President Bola Tinubu as far wiser than opposition presidential candidates, including African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Showunmi made the remarks while reacting to public criticism of Tinubu’s comments at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where the President suggested he might not attend every campaign rally.

Tinubu’s statement sparked reactions across the country, with some critics raising questions about his health and ability to participate fully in the 2027 presidential campaign.

However, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Showunmi expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat his opponents in the January 16, 2027, presidential election, regardless of whether he attends campaign rallies.

According to the PDP chieftain, the President’s absence from some campaign events would not undermine his chances of securing re-election.

“That guy called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a thousand years wiser than them, and I guarantee you he’s going to defeat them again,” Showunmi said.

He added that opposition figures could still see Tinubu on television or visit the Presidential Villa if they wished to see him.

“So if he doesn’t come for the rally, better luck next time. They can look at him on television. If they don’t like him on TV, they can go to Aso Rock. If they don’t meet him in Aso Rock, they can meet him where he’s trying to meet Akara,” he stated.

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Tinubu, arguing that the President cannot ask Nigerians to grant him another four-year term while relying on governors, ministers and political defectors to defend the hardships experienced under his administration over the past three and a half years.

Atiku’s position was conveyed in a statement issued to Naija News by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

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