Senate President Godswill Akpabio withdraws all defamation suits, citing faith, reconciliation, and leadership responsibility to promote national healing
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally withdrawn all defamation suits he instituted, citing faith, leadership responsibility, and the need to foster national reconciliation, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, said on Friday.
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Eyiboh explained that the decision followed a personal conviction inspired during a New Year’s Day Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, where the parish priest urged worshippers to forgive past hurts and embrace peace.
Akpabio reportedly announced the withdrawal immediately after the service.
The move affects about nine suits, including the widely publicised ₦200 billion case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alongside other cases involving individuals and associates.
“The law, for him, was both a shield and a sword. To willingly lay it down marks a deliberate interruption of a familiar exercise of power,” Eyiboh said, highlighting that the decision should be viewed in the broader context of Akpabio’s leadership philosophy combining authority with strong religious conviction.
Eyiboh added that choosing forgiveness over legal escalation strengthens cohesion within the legislature, preserves authority, and demonstrates emotional restraint in a highly confrontational political environment.
“Forgiveness can be misread as weakness, but it takes confidence to absorb insults without retaliation,” Eyiboh said.
“For the Senate President, forgiveness is both a faith obligation and a leadership tool. Sometimes, the most radical act in politics is not retaliation, but restraint.”
Under Akpabio’s leadership, the 10th Senate has recorded relative stability and productivity, passing more than 90 bills in two years, with over 50 assented to by the President.
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Eyiboh noted that the gesture is intended as a public model of moderation and reconciliation.
