Real reason I withdrew defamation suit against Natasha – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained his decision to withdraw a defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other ongoing legal actions, saying the move was a deliberate choice guided by moral authority, faith, and the responsibilities of legislative leadership.

Akpabio clarified his position in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.

The statement partly read, “In a political culture where litigation has become an extension of reputation management, this was no minor gesture. Akpabio had been unapologetic about defending his name through the courts.”

“The law, in his hands, had been both shield and sword. To voluntarily lay it down is to interrupt a habit of power. The question, therefore, is not whether Akpabio could afford to forgive. It is why he chose to do so.

“This is where forgiveness ceases to be sentimental and becomes political philosophy. The same drive for tangible outcomes has characterised, albeit differently, his tenure as Senate President.”

Continuing, Akpabio said that managing a Senate comprising 109 senators with competing ambitions requires restraint, credibility, and setting an example, rather than engaging in constant legal battles that could distract from governance.

“The Senate has been unusually productive and notably calm—more than ninety-six bills passed in two years, with over fifty-eight assented to by the President.

“In a chamber once notorious for theatrics, this stability is not accidental. It reflects a leadership style that values restraint over spectacle and consensus over conquest.

“This is why the withdrawal of lawsuits should be read not merely as personal forgiveness but as public modelling. Forgiveness, in this sense, becomes civic pedagogy,” he stated.

Very Nigerian reports that the former Akwa Ibom State governor’s decision to withdraw all litigations, announced at the start of the year, followed his New Year resolution to forgive perceived offenders and discontinue all defamation cases he had instituted, a move that immediately attracted public attention, given the high-profile nature of the litigations.

The development came against the backdrop of rising political tensions in the upper chamber and lingering controversies surrounding the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in 2025, which triggered a wave of legal exchanges between both lawmakers.

Akpabio traced his decision to a personal moment of reflection during a New Year Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he said a homily on forgiveness struck him directly.

Speaking during the church service, the Senate President disclosed that he had instituted nearly nine defamation suits against individuals over statements he considered damaging to his reputation.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“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.”

Among the cases withdrawn was the ₦200bn defamation suit filed in late 2025 against Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, which Akpabio had denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife had also filed separate defamation suits against the Kogi Central senator, alleging that claims made against her husband had damaged the family’s reputation.

The legal battles marked a significant escalation in the frosty relationship between the two senators, which deteriorated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025 following her public allegations of misconduct.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had also approached the courts to challenge actions taken against her, including a ₦100bn defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and others over alleged remarks she said harmed her reputation.

With Akpabio’s directive to his lawyers, all pending defamation suits instituted by him have now been formally withdrawn, effectively bringing closure to the highly publicised legal disputes as the new year begins.

Beyond the personal dimension, the Senate President framed the move within the broader demands of leadership, arguing that forgiveness and restraint were essential tools for maintaining cohesion in the legislature.

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