The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn all pending defamation suits he instituted against a cleric, following a sermon delivered by the priest which appealed for reconciliation and peace.

Akpabio announced the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Eseme Eyiboh.

According to the statement, the Senate President said the decision was taken after deep reflection and in response to the priest’s sermon, which emphasised forgiveness, humility and the need for unity.

Akpabio noted that the withdrawal of the suits was in the interest of peace and harmony, stressing that public discourse should not degenerate into personal attacks capable of undermining national cohesion.

He said that while he had earlier approached the courts to seek redress over statements he considered defamatory, he had now chosen the path of reconciliation in line with moral and spiritual guidance.

“The sermon was a reminder of the core values of Christianity and humanity — forgiveness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence,” the statement quoted Akpabio as saying.

The Senate President urged religious leaders, public office holders and citizens to exercise restraint in their utterances, especially on sensitive national issues, adding that freedom of expression should be exercised responsibly.

He further reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, democratic principles and the protection of individual rights, noting that his action should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness but as a deliberate choice for peace.

Akpabio also called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue as a tool for resolving disagreements, rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.

The defamation suits, which had been filed in different courts, arose from public comments allegedly made by the cleric during sermons and public engagements.

The withdrawal of the cases has since drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some stakeholders commending the Senate President’s decision as a demonstration of statesmanship.