Akpabio withdraws suit against Senator Natasha after New Year church service

By Kunle Sanni –

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the withdrawal of all defamation lawsuits against individuals, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a New Year church service in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday at the Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, saying he was moved by the message delivered during the New Year Mass to seek peace and reconciliation.

He revealed that he had instituted nearly nine court cases against people he accused of defaming and slandering him but decided to discontinue the legal actions after reflecting on the priest’s homily.

“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said. “But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

During the service, the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Aka Offot, and Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Very Reverend Father Donatus Udoette, urged parishioners to embrace peace and let go of past grievances.

“The greatest thing that man needs is peace,” Udoette said. “You have to let go of the past, no matter what it was. All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on.”

The defamation suits arose from a series of public accusations and counter-allegations involving prominent political figures, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The dispute gained national attention after statements made in the media and on public platforms, which Akpabio described as false, damaging, and politically motivated.

The cases sparked wider public debate on political rivalry, freedom of expression, and the growing use of litigation to resolve high-profile political disputes in Nigeria.