Residents of Plateau State have strongly condemned Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over comments he made during the burial of the late mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While making a speech at the funeral service held at the COCIN Headquarters in Jos on Saturday, 4th October, 2025, the former Akwa Ibom State governor had told the grieving Nentawe that his mother chose the right time die.

The comments did not go down well with many who saw them as insensitive and inconsiderate when the Yilwatda’s family was mourning the sad loss of their matriarch no matter the age at her demise.

Some people who took to social media to express their dismay at Akpabio’s comments, said he and the APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu who stormed the state for the burial had turned it into a political rally all in their bid to capture the state in 2027.

“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,” David Akpa wrote on Facebook.

For Ishaku Dakas, Akpabio’s comments were not not surprising to him as he (Akpabio), has been known to blurt out statements without thinking of their repercussions.

“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,” Ishaku wrote.

“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,” Polycarp Sanda said.

“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,” Matthew Kalamu said.

“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,” John Sabo wrote.

Plateau residents condemn Akpabio over comments during Nentawe’s mother’s burial