Akpabio Threatens Lawsuit Against PDP Chieftain Over Defamation Claim

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has threatened to take legal action against a Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Dr.

Adetokunbo Pearse, for comments he described as false and damaging to his image.The controversy began after Pearse made statements about Akpabio during a live political discussion on Arise Television on October 4, 2025.

In a letter dated October 7, 2025, issued through his lawyers, S. I. Ameh (SAN) & Co., Akpabio accused Pearse of making baseless allegations intended to tarnish his reputation before the public.According to the letter, Akpabio’s legal team claimed that the remarks made by Pearse were reckless, malicious, and misleading.

They said the comments painted the Senate President as a corrupt politician and undermined public trust in the National Assembly. The letter also stated that the broadcast caused Akpabio emotional distress, embarrassment, and harm to his public image.

The Senate President has given Pearse three days to issue a public apology and retract the statements made during the broadcast. The apology, according to the letter, must be aired on major television and radio stations including Arise TV, Channels TV, AIT, Cool FM, RayPower, and Nigeria Info FM, as well as published in national newspapers such as The Guardian, Punch, The Nation, THISDAY, and Leadership.

Akpabio’s lawyers said that if Pearse fails to meet the demand within the stated time, legal steps will be taken to seek redress in court. They also noted that Pearse’s comments violated sections of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, and Cybercrimes Act, which address defamation and public incitement.

The law firm maintained that while the Nigerian Constitution allows freedom of expression, it does not give anyone the right to spread false information or attack another person’s reputation.