Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio addresses criticism over recent comments on religion, saying he has sponsored Muslim pilgrims to Mecca for 25 years. He presents his own conduct as evidence that his statements are not intended to undermine any faith.
According to reports, Akpabio also takes issue with how his remarks are being portrayed in public, arguing that people are “misinterpreting” what is discussed in the Senate. He says some beneficiaries of his support also work for him, reinforcing his explanation for why he made the point publicly.
While the outlets differ slightly in emphasis—one focusing on the long-running sponsorship and the other adding detail about beneficiaries—the accounts agree that Akpabio is responding to backlash by citing his history of supporting Muslim pilgrimage and by criticizing what he characterizes as distorted commentary of his Senate discussions.
