Politics
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 That was why he directed that all pending defamation suits he had filed be withdrawn.”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.
Politics
Impeachment: I’m not prophet but only fasting, prayers will save Gov Fubara. Tinubu hates ingrates- Fayose
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has said he is not a prophet, but only fasting and prayers will save the Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers state from the impeachment process initiated against him by the members of the State House of Assembly who are loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Fayose disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, January 9.
While speaking on the feud between Wike and Fubara, Fayose said faulted Governor Fubara for appointing people into his cabinet and spending state funds without recourse and approval of the State Assembly.
“I’m not a prophet, but what is happening in Rivers now, it will take fasting and prayers to save Fubara; it takes the President intervening.
How can he be appointing people in his cabinet and spending money without constitutional backing and approval of the State Assembly?
People are talking about Wike; remove Wike. Can you remove who or what he is? Can’t you see people popping out during his rallies?”Fayose asked
According to Fayose, he had years ago warned Governor Fubara on his inauguration day against betraying Wike.
“During his inauguration, I told Wike that I wanted to tell Fubara one or two things against betraying him, but Wike said I shouldn’t worry, that Fubara will not do it, I told Fubara not to fight that man that he will fight and not stop fighting.”he said
The former Ekiti governor said even President Bola Tinubu hates ingratitude, stating that if not by the grace of God, those whom the President has helped could have abandoned him, giving an instance that if the President did not make Wike FCT Minister, the Minister could have been buried politically.
Politics
Photo of Peter Obi greeting Atiku on bent knees sparks debate
A photograph of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, exchanging a handshake with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has continued to generate reactions across social media after it was shared online by Atiku himself.
The image, which shows Obi slightly bent while greeting Atiku, has been interpreted by some Nigerians as a sign of submission or deference.
Critics argue that the posture is unbecoming of a politician seeking the highest office in the land, with some describing it as evidence of low self-esteem or political weakness.
Several commentators have further suggested that the image raises questions about Obi’s ability to assert himself politically, especially within the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC), where both politicians are members.
However, activist and public commentator, Maduabuchi Idam, has dismissed such interpretations as superficial, urging Nigerians to focus on competence rather than body language.
In a statement made available to journalists, Idam acknowledged that a casual observer could easily draw negative conclusions from the photograph but warned against overreading symbolism into a single moment.
According to him, Obi has consistently projected himself as a calm, disciplined and principled leader, noting that gentleness should not be mistaken for weakness.
“This picture has been trending since it surfaced on the internet today after being posted by Alh. Atiku Abubarkar himself.
“The reason it has enjoyed such attention is not far fetched.
“Mr. Peter Obi had a handshake with Atiku Abubakar almost on his bended kneels. A character only exhibited by sycophants or favour seekers.
“Peter Obi has always presented himself as gentle but firm, calm yet resolute. His disposition has never suggested aggression, and that should not be used to undermine his capacity for leadership,” Idam said.
He added that Nigeria’s political challenges are not the result of a lack of assertive personalities but rather the repeated imposition of unsuitable leaders on the nation.
Idam urged Nigerians to encourage authenticity among political actors instead of rewarding pretence, stressing that leadership should be judged by competence, capacity and integrity rather than optics.
“Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of haughty characters but the habit of forcing square pegs into round holes,” he stated.
Politics
Fubara never invited us for roundtable talk – Rivers Assembly
Rivers State House of Assembly has denied claims that it turned down several invitations from Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a roundtable talk.
Ekwutosblog reports that following the latest move by the assembly members to impeach the governor and his deputy, stakeholders have questioned why Fubara failed to meet with the lawmakers.
But some loyalists of the governor claimed that the governor had extended several invitations to the lawmakers but to no avail.
Immediate past Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sir Igwu Achese in an interview on Friday claimed that on several occasions, the governor invited the lawmakers for dinner but they declined.
He said, “people keep asking why the governor is not able to call the assembly members for talk, for dinner and the rest of them.
“I will tell you that the governor has invited them not once, not twice to sit down with them on a roundtable but they all denied and refused to honour the invitations”.
However, when contacted by Ekwutosblog on Saturday, the spokesperson of the assembly, Hon Enemi George denied the claim.
According to him, “no such invitation has ever happened. There was never a time The governor invited us for any discussion”.
Ekwutosblog reports that the assembly, in a post on its official Facebook on Thursday night, announced that it had served Fubara and the deputy governor, Mrs Odu, with the notice of impeacement.
Asked what is the next step after serving the notice, Enemi simply told Ekwutosblog that “when we get there, we will know.
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