Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Thursday the withdrawal of all pending defamation lawsuits he had initiated, attributing the decision to a compelling message from a Catholic priest during a New Year’s mass that prompted him to embrace forgiveness.
Akpabio, addressing congregants at the Sacred Heart Parish in the southeastern city of Uyo, revealed he had pursued nearly nine legal actions against those he claimed had tarnished his reputation through slander and falsehoods.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” he added.
The move signals an end to a series of high-stakes litigations that gripped Nigerian politics in 2025, including a N200 billion ($113 million) claim against fellow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment, which Akpabio vehemently denied.
Akpabio’s spouse had also lodged separate defamation complaints against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing damage to the family’s standing.
Tensions between the lawmakers escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged Akpabio orchestrated her brief Senate suspension in March 2025 following her public criticisms, prompting her to counter with a N100 billion suit against him and others for reputational harm.
Thursday’s declaration, made on the first day of 2026, marks a potential thaw in these disputes, with Akpabio framing it as a personal response to spiritual guidance amid the festive period.
