{
  "id": 14768087,
  "title": "I’ve sponsored Muslim pilgrims for 25 years, Akpabio defends religion comment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/ive-sponsored-muslim-pilgrims-for-25-years-akpabio-defends-religion",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T19:14:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ive-sponsored-muslim-pilgrims-for-25-years-akpabio-defends-religion-comment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended himself against accusations of disparaging Islam after making remarks during a Senate debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026. The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, aims to tackle suicide prevention issues. Akpabio stated that he has been supporting Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca for the past 25 years. The senator clarified that his comments were taken out of context and used for political purposes. Akpabio also affirmed his relationship with Muslim staff members, mentioning one aide-de-camp who has been a Muslim for 19 years. He dismissed accusations linking terrorism to any specific religion, emphasizing that terrorists are human beings who commit violent acts. The Senate president urged Nigerians to focus on the final decision of the Senate when evaluating debates in the chamber.",
  "summary": "Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended his recent comments on religion, stating he has sponsored Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca for 25 years. Read More: https://punchng.com/ive-sponsored-muslim-pilgrims-for-25-years-akpabio-defends-religion-comment/",
  "key_points": [
    "Senate President Akpabio defends against Islam disparagement claims",
    "Supports Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca for 25 years",
    "Clarifies comments were politically manipulated"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "I’ve sponsored Muslim pilgrims for 25 years, Akpabio defends religion comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/ive-sponsored-muslim-pilgrims-for-25-years-akpabio-defends-religion-14768532",
        "published": "2026-10-15T19:16:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}