Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has announced the withdrawal of all defamation lawsuits he instituted against several individuals, saying the decision followed a moment of deep personal reflection during a New Year church service.
Akpabio, who heads Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber officially known as the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made the disclosure on Thursday, January 1, 2026, while addressing worshippers at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria.
According to the Senate President, he had initiated nearly nine separate legal actions against individuals whom he accused of making defamatory statements against him. However, he explained that a sermon delivered during the New Year Mass prompted him to reassess his approach.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio said.
He added, “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.”
Okay News reports that the announcement marks a significant reversal in Akpabio’s legal posture following a series of high-profile court battles that dominated Nigeria’s political and legal discourse throughout 2025.
Among the most prominent cases was a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit filed in late 2025 against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Nigerian lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The suit followed allegations of sexual harassment made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which Akpabio consistently denied and urged her to substantiate before the court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also approached the courts with defamation claims against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that the accusations had caused reputational harm to their family.
Tensions between both lawmakers escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Nigerian Senate in March 2025, a disciplinary action that followed her public allegations of misconduct against the Senate President.
In response to actions taken against her, Akpoti-Uduaghan had also sought legal redress, filing a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and other defendants over statements she claimed damaged her public image.
With Akpabio’s directive to his legal team, all pending defamation-related cases linked to these disputes are now expected to be formally discontinued, signaling an attempt at closure and reconciliation as Nigeria begins the year 2026.
