The decision by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to withdraw all the defamation suits he instituted was driven by faith, leadership responsibility and the need to promote national reconciliation, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, has said.
Eyiboh, in an explanatory piece, said the move was neither accidental nor politically expedient, but flowed from a moment of personal conviction and a broader understanding of power, restraint and governance.
According to him, Akpabio took the decision on New Year’s Day after attending Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, where a sermon delivered by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Donatus Udoette, urged worshippers to forgive past hurts and embrace peace.
“He was not at a political event, nor addressing supporters,” Eyiboh said. “He was in church, listening as a parishioner, when the message on forgiveness struck him personally.”
He said shortly after the service, Akpabio announced that he would forgive those who had offended him and discontinue all legal actions instituted in his name.
He added that about nine defamation suits are affected by the decision, “including the widely publicised ₦200 billion suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Other cases involving individuals and associates, he said, are also to be withdrawn.
Eyiboh noted that Akpabio had always been firm in defending his reputation through lawful means, stressing that the Senate President had never apologised for seeking redress in court when allegations were made against him.
“The law, for him, was both a shield and a sword,” he said. “To willingly lay it down marks a deliberate interruption of a familiar exercise of power.”
He explained that the decision should be seen within the broader context of Akpabio’s leadership philosophy, which combines political authority with strong religious conviction.
“Akpabio has always viewed power as a trust, not just something to be exercised,” Eyiboh said. “In that worldview, forgiveness is not weakness; it is responsibility.”
The aide also linked the move to Akpabio’s approach as Senate President, noting that the 10th Senate has recorded relative stability and productivity under his leadership.
“More than 90 bills have been passed in two years, with over 50 already assented to by the President.
“In an environment where politics thrives on confrontation, restraint by those in authority helps lower tension and refocus attention on governance,” Eyiboh said.
He added that prolonged legal battles often distract leaders and entrench grievances, while forgiveness frees emotional and institutional energy for national tasks.
“There is also a strategic value,” he said. “Choosing reconciliation over escalation strengthens cohesion within the legislature and preserves authority without making it brittle.”
Eyiboh dismissed claims that the withdrawal of the suits amounted to capitulation, arguing that forgiveness is easier to misunderstand than to practise.
“Forgiveness can be misread as weakness, but it takes confidence to absorb insults without retaliation,” he said.
He recalled a statement once made to Akpabio by the late evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai: “Only fruit-bearing trees attract stones. If you are being attacked, it means you are bearing fruit.”
According to Eyiboh, Akpabio’s decision was meant to serve as an example in a political climate where disagreements are quickly personalised and litigated.
“Nigeria is dealing with serious challenges — insecurity, economic pressure and social distrust,” he said. “Leaders who demonstrate emotional restraint contribute to national healing in ways that laws and budgets alone cannot.”
He stressed that the withdrawal of the suits should be read as public modelling of forgiveness rather than a one-off gesture, adding that its true value would be measured by whether it encourages moderation and dialogue in public life.
“For the Senate President, forgiveness is both a faith obligation and a leadership tool,” Eyiboh said. “Sometimes, the most radical act in politics is not retaliation, but restraint.”
Source’ The Nation News