Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under fire from residents of Plateau State over a controversial remark he made during the burial of the late mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the funeral service held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters in Jos on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Akpabio had told the grieving Yilwatda that his mother “chose the right time to die.”
The comment, which was made in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and several top APC officials, sparked outrage among mourners and Nigerians online who described it as insensitive and disrespectful to the bereaved family.
Many took to social media to express their anger. A Facebook user, David Akpa, wrote: “I don’t know what the Senate President meant by such comments at a time the family is mourning their beloved mother. To me, that was quite insensitive and derogatory.”
Another user, Ishaku Dakas, said he was not surprised by Akpabio’s remark. “Public speaking and circumspection have never been the forte of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Imagine saying this to a man who is burying his mother. That was quite thoughtless,” he posted.
Similarly, Polycarp Sanda condemned the statement, saying, “Does anyone choose the time he or she would die? The Senate President’s remarks were really distasteful. He should learn how to speak in public.”
Some residents also accused Akpabio and other APC leaders of turning the solemn event into a political gathering, claiming their presence was more about political visibility ahead of the 2027 elections than to genuinely mourn with the family.
As of the time of this report, the Senate President has yet to issue any public apology or clarification regarding the incident.