The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has explained his decision to withdraw a series of defamation suits against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and others, saying the move was guided by faith, moral conviction and the demands of legislative leadership.

Akpabio’s position was conveyed in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.

The statement described the withdrawal as a conscious departure from a culture where court actions are often used as tools of political combat, noting that the Senate President had previously been firm in defending his reputation through legal means.

According to the statement, Akpabio believes that effective leadership of a Senate made up of 109 lawmakers with diverse ambitions requires restraint, credibility and the ability to rise above prolonged personal disputes.

It argued that constant litigation could undermine focus and distract the legislature from its core responsibilities.

The Senate President linked his decision to what he described as the need to lead by example, pointing to the relative calm and productivity of the upper chamber under his watch.

The statement cited the passage of over 96 bills within two years, with more than 58 already assented to by the President, as evidence of a leadership approach built on consensus rather than confrontation.