It’s Bigger Than Personal Forgiveness” — Akpabio Reveals Why He Dropped Natasha’s Defamation Case

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained why he chose to withdraw a defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, along with other pending legal actions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said the decision was a deliberate act intended to set an example of restraint, credibility, and leadership, rather than becoming embroiled in endless litigation that could distract from governance.

He emphasized that the move was guided by moral authority, faith, and the responsibilities of legislative leadership.

The statement noted, “In a political environment where lawsuits often serve as tools for reputation management, this was no trivial gesture. Akpabio had consistently defended his name through the courts. The law, in his hands, had been both a shield and a sword. To voluntarily put it aside interrupts a pattern of power. The key question is not whether he could forgive, but why he chose to do so.

“Here, forgiveness goes beyond sentiment—it becomes a political philosophy. The same commitment to practical outcomes has marked his tenure as Senate President. The Senate has seen unprecedented stability and productivity, with more than ninety-six bills passed in two years, over fifty-eight of which have been assented to by the President.

“In a chamber once known for theatrics, this calm and efficiency is no accident. It reflects leadership that prioritizes restraint over spectacle and consensus over conquest. This is why withdrawing lawsuits should be understood not merely as personal forgiveness, but as a demonstration of civic responsibility. Forgiveness, in this sense, becomes a lesson in public leadership.”