Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has explained why he withdrew several defamation lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other individuals, saying the decision was driven by faith, moral conviction, and the responsibilities of legislative leadership.
Akpabio gave the explanation in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, following public reactions to his decision to discontinue all pending defamation cases.
According to the statement, the Senate President said he deliberately chose restraint over prolonged litigation in order to maintain stability and focus within the National Assembly.
“In a political environment where lawsuits are often used to manage reputation, this was not an easy decision,” the statement read.
“Akpabio had consistently defended his name in court, but choosing to step back from that path reflects a conscious interruption of power and habit.”
Akpabio noted that leading a Senate made up of 109 senators with varying interests requires credibility, maturity, and example-setting, rather than continuous legal confrontations that could distract from governance.
“The Senate has been unusually calm and productive,” he said.
“In just two years, more than 96 bills have been passed, with over 58 already assented to by the President. This level of stability is intentional and reflects a leadership style that prioritises consensus over conflict.”
He described the withdrawal of the lawsuits not simply as an act of personal forgiveness, but as a public demonstration of leadership.
“Forgiveness in this context goes beyond emotion. It becomes a civic lesson — a way of showing that restraint can strengthen democratic institutions,” Akpabio state
The Senate President disclosed that the decision followed a moment of personal reflection during a New Year Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where a sermon on forgiveness deeply resonated with him.
“I realised the priest was speaking directly to me,” Akpabio said during the service. “At that moment, I instructed my lawyer to withdraw all the lawsuits I had instituted against those who defamed me.”
He revealed that he had filed nearly nine defamation suits before taking the decision, including a ₦200bn suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, which he had consistently denied.
The legal disputes between both senators escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate in 2025, a development she alleged was influenced by Akpabio following her public accusations against him. She had also filed a ₦100bn defamation suit against Akpabio and others over remarks she claimed damaged her reputation.
With Akpabio’s directive, all defamation cases initiated by him have now been formally withdrawn, bringing an end to the high-profile legal battles as the new year begins.
He maintained that forgiveness and restraint are essential tools for sustaining unity and effective governance in the legislature.
