Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s New Year Sermon

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s New Year Sermon

On January 1, 2026, Senate President Godswill Akpabio made a striking announcement that has reverberated across Nigeria’s political and social landscape.

Speaking during a New Year’s Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akpabio revealed that he had directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits he had filed against several individuals. The decision, he explained, was inspired by the counsel of a priest whose homily emphasized peace, forgiveness, and the importance of letting go of past hurts.

Akpabio disclosed that he had initiated nearly nine separate cases against individuals he accused of defaming him, slandering his name, and spreading falsehoods. However, during the Mass, he felt personally addressed by the priest’s message, which urged parishioners to embrace reconciliation and release the “luggage of pain and hurt” that often weighs people down.

Moved by this spiritual reflection, Akpabio declared that he would end all such litigations, signaling closure to disputes that had previously drawn public attention.

The priest’s sermon underscored the idea that peace is humanity’s greatest need, urging the congregation to live harmoniously and to forgive past grievances. His words resonated deeply with Akpabio, who acknowledged that the message compelled him to reconsider his stance and act in the spirit of unity.

By withdrawing the lawsuits, Akpabio not only demonstrated personal humility but also set a symbolic tone for the new year, aligning his actions with the broader call for peace and reconciliation.

This announcement marks a significant turning point in Akpabio’s public life, as it brings an end to a series of contentious legal battles that had cast a shadow over his leadership. It also reflects the influence of faith and moral guidance in shaping political decisions, illustrating how spiritual counsel can inspire acts of forgiveness and reconciliation at the highest levels of governance.

With this move, Akpabio has effectively closed a chapter of publicized litigations, offering a gesture of peace at the dawn of 2026. His decision is likely to be interpreted as both a personal act of grace and a political signal, reinforcing the importance of dialogue, forgiveness, and unity in Nigeria’s evolving democratic journey.