In a dramatic New Year move that surprised both political allies and critics, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has withdrawn all defamation lawsuits he filed against several individuals, including Senator Natasha Akpoti, signalling a rare moment of public reconciliation at the start of 2026.
Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday during the New Year Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, where he told the congregation that a sermon delivered by the parish priest compelled him to abandon years of legal battles.
According to the Senate President, he had instituted nearly nine court cases over alleged slander and defamation before deciding to halt them entirely.
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“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. I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” Akpabio said.
The message that triggered the decision came from Very Reverend Father Donatus Udoette, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart and Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, who urged worshippers to release bitterness and unresolved pain as a condition for moving forward.
“All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on,” the cleric preached.
Akpabio’s declaration immediately drew attention because of the high profile nature of some of the cases, particularly those involving Senator Natasha Akpoti, which had attracted national debate and prolonged legal scrutiny.
By publicly announcing the withdrawal in a church setting, the Senate President framed the decision not as a political calculation but as a personal and moral choice inspired by faith and reflection.
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Political observers say the move closes a chapter of intense courtroom confrontations that had followed Akpabio since his time as a minister and later as Senate President. It also sends a symbolic message of reconciliation at a time when Nigeria’s political climate remains deeply polarised.
With the lawsuits formally withdrawn, all pending defamation actions initiated by Akpabio now stand discontinued, marking what he described as a fresh start for the new year.
As 2026 begins, the Senate President’s gesture projects an image of forgiveness over confrontation, offering a rare pause in Nigeria’s usually combative political space and raising a lingering question: is this a personal turning point or a broader political reset?
