Plateau Residents Condemn Akpabio’s Remarks at Nentawe’s Mother’s Burial

Residents of Plateau State have expressed strong condemnation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following remarks he made during the burial of the late mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the funeral service held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the COCIN Headquarters in Jos, the former Akwa Ibom State governor reportedly told the grieving APC chairman that his mother “chose the right time to die.”

Many attendees and residents viewed the comments as insensitive and inappropriate, given the solemn occasion and the family’s mourning, regardless of the age at which their loved one passed.

The remarks sparked widespread backlash on social media, with critics accusing Akpabio and other APC leaders—including President Bola Tinubu, who attended the burial—of using the event as a political rally aimed at winning support ahead of the 2027 elections.

David Akpa posted on Facebook, “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. He should be mindful of his words.”

Ishaku Dakas expressed no surprise, saying, “Public speaking and circumspection has never been the forte of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Imagine saying this to a man who is burying his beloved mother. That was quite thoughtless.”

Others echoed similar sentiments: “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,” wrote Polycarp Sanda.

“That man has been known to speak before thinking, and the comments at Mama’s funeral topped it for me. He must have thought he was making a very funny joke with a great punchline but I was highly disappointed,” said Matthew Kalamu.

“I was highly disappointed that such a personality could make such insensitive comments at a time people were mourning. It was not just callous but inhuman,” lamented John Sabo.

The widespread criticism highlights the deep hurt caused by Akpabio’s comments during a deeply emotional moment for the Yilwada family and the Plateau community.