Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that poverty is not a crime and can sometimes be considered a divine virtue. He made the remark while speaking to journalists in Rome after attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Reflecting on the life and legacy of the late Pontiff, Akpabio highlighted the Pope’s humility, noting that he reportedly died with only $100 to his name, despite leading over 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide. He described the Vatican not only as a religious institution but also as a sovereign state whose late leader embodied spiritual self-sacrifice.
“This shows that we cannot worship God in splendour,” Akpabio said. “The best way to worship God is through self-sacrifice for others.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace love and compassion, particularly during the Easter season, emphasizing the importance of sharing with those in need.
“Poverty is not a crime,” Akpabio reiterated. “It could sometimes be a virtue — a virtue of God. Whatever you have, you should be able to share with your brothers and sisters.”
Akpabio’s comments come amid ongoing debates about wealth inequality and governance in Nigeria.
