By Joyce Ekeh
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Patience Ndidi Key, has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to support the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria, arguing that people experiencing suicidal distress need healthcare and support rather than punishment.
Key urged the National Assembly to prioritise mental healthcare, unemployment and economic hardship, saying the welfare of Nigerians should take precedence over political interests.
In a press statement, she commended Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and other lawmakers supporting the proposed reform but criticised Akpabio’s reported opposition to removing criminal penalties for attempted suicide.
She argued that criminalisation could discourage distressed individuals and their families from seeking help for fear of prosecution and social stigma.
“Criminalisation can make distressed people and their families afraid to seek assistance because of prosecution and stigma,” Key said.
The YPP chieftain also questioned what she described as the disproportionate attention devoted to Akpabio’s possible return as Senate President, compared with issues such as diaspora voting rights and the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
“The political future of an officeholder must never become more important than the survival and opportunity of a citizen,” she said.
Key further called for greater accountability in public expenditure, insisting that government budgetary allocations should translate into accessible healthcare, sustainable employment and measurable progress in industrial development.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, she urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records of political candidates and hold public officeholders accountable for corruption, indifference and unfulfilled promises.
She appealed to Akpabio to reconsider his position on the proposed reform, urging the National Assembly to adopt a more compassionate approach that prioritises suicide prevention, treatment and support for people experiencing mental health crises.
Key maintained that addressing suicidal distress requires effective healthcare interventions and social support rather than criminal sanctions.
