Rev. Fr. Udoette’s sermon convinced Akpabio to forgive Natasha, others – Eyiboh

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has decided to forgive those he described as his offenders and withdraw all court cases he instituted against them, including the high-profile defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan because he was touched by God’s words during a sermon.

This was according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh.

Eyiboh in a statement he personally signed said the decision followed a sermon preached during a New Year Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He said Akpabio was attending the January 1, 2026 church service as a regular worshipper when the priest, Reverend Father Donatus Udoette, delivered a homily centred on forgiveness, letting go of anger, and choosing peace over personal grievances.

“At a point during the sermon, the Senate President realized the message was speaking directly to him,” Eyiboh said.

Shortly after the service, Akpabio announced that forgiving all those who had wronged him would be his New Year resolution.

“He resolved not only to forgive in words but to back it up with action. That was why he directed that all pending defamation suits he had filed be withdrawn.”

Among the cases affected is the ₦200 billion lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which arose from allegations Akpabio had repeatedly denied and challenged in court.

Eyiboh explained that about nine defamation cases in total, including some involving Akpabio’s close associates, would no longer be pursued.

“In Nigerian politics, many leaders use the courts to defend their names, But this time, he chose forgiveness over prolonged legal battles.”

Eyiboh stressed that the decision should not be seen as weakness but as an act of leadership inspired by faith.

“Senator Akpabio is a committed Christian. His faith is not seasonal or for public display. He believes that power is entrusted by God and must be exercised with moral responsibility.”

“In Nigeria, faith in politics is common. Stability of faith is rarer. Akpabio’s Christianity is not episodic. It has shaped how he understands authority itself. Power, in this worldview, is not merely seized or negotiated; it is entrusted. And what is entrusted carries moral obligation.”

‘This is where forgiveness ceases to be sentimental and becomes political philosophy. The same drive for tangible outcomes has characterised, albeit differently, his tenure as Senate President. It has been defined less by flamboyance than by control.

“The Senate he leads has been unusually productive and notably calm; more than ninety-six bills passed in two years, with over fifty-eight assented to by the President. In a chamber once notorious for theatrics, this stability is not accidental. It reflects a leadership style that values restraint over spectacle and consensus over conquest.

“While his action was inspired, it also makes political sense. Withdrawing defamation suits fits neatly into this logic. Legal battles consume attention. They tether leaders to old grievances. They narrow the emotional bandwidth required for institutional leadership. To let them go is to reclaim focus and to recommit to what ultimately matters; nation-building.”

He acknowledged that some critics may view forgiveness as something only the powerful can afford but argued that this is exactly why it matters.

“When those in authority show restraint, it sets an example. Not every insult needs a reply, and not every disagreement must end in court.”

Eyiboh also noted that Akpabio’s decision came at a time when unity within the Senate is crucial, amid rumours and speculations about internal disagreements.

“Choosing reconciliation over escalation helps to preserve institutional cohesion. It strengthens leadership without intimidation.”

According to Eyiboh, the Senate President believes forgiveness is not just a personal virtue but a public lesson for Nigerians.

“By choosing forgiveness over litigation, Akpabio strengthens his hand not through coercion but through credibility. He signals that power can afford generosity; that leadership does not require perpetual combat; that not every insult deserves a reply. There is risk, of course. Forgiveness can be misread as weakness. Silence can be exploited. But leadership that waits for perfect safety rarely leads. Akpabio’s resolution accepts vulnerability as the price of example,” Eyiboh explained.

“Nigeria often produces leaders who deliver material progress but corrode trust, or leaders who speak ethically but govern ineffectively. Akpabio’s gesture attempts to collapse that false choice.

“To be clear, the true test lies ahead. Forgiveness must be sustained, not performed once and shelved. Its power will be measured by whether it cools tempers, reshapes conduct, and encourages reciprocal restraint,” he added.