In a significant and unexpected move, the Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has instructed his legal team to withdraw all defamation lawsuits he had filed against various individuals. This decision came after he was deeply moved by a priest's sermon during a New Year's Day mass.
A Change of Heart After Mass
The pivotal moment occurred on the morning of Thursday, January 1, 2026. Senator Akpabio was attending a service at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The message delivered by the priest during the mass resonated profoundly with him, prompting immediate personal reflection and action.
Addressing the congregation after the service, Akpabio made a public declaration. He revealed that he had initiated nearly nine separate legal cases against people he accused of spreading falsehoods and damaging his reputation. "I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name," he stated. However, the priest's words led to a sudden realization. "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," the Senate President announced.
High-Profile Cases Now Closed
Among the most prominent lawsuits now set to be discontinued is a major case against a fellow senator. In 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. This legal action was a direct response to allegations she made, which Akpabio vehemently denied. He had challenged her to substantiate her claims in a court of law, leading to the massive lawsuit.
The directive to withdraw is comprehensive. Akpabio has ordered his legal counsels to terminate any and all defamation suits he filed against persons in any court across the country. This sweeping move underscores the depth of the impact the religious service had on his stance towards legal recourse for perceived slights.
Implications and Reactions
This decision marks a dramatic shift from a litigious posture to one of forgiveness and reconciliation, as inspired by the New Year's message. It effectively brings to a close several potentially lengthy and contentious legal battles that had captured public and political attention.
The withdrawal of the high-stakes case against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in particular, removes a significant point of tension within the National Assembly. It allows both politicians to move forward without the cloud of a monumental court case hanging over them. The action sets a notable precedent, highlighting how personal reflection can influence public conduct and conflict resolution at the highest levels of government.
Observers and constituents in Uyo and beyond are now watching to see the formal completion of the withdrawal process in the courts and what this new chapter signifies for Akpabio's political relationships and public image.
