Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a sharp rebuttal to former Senator Elisha Abbo’s recent accusations of running the Senate like a personal fiefdom and targeting dissenting voices. In a strongly worded statement released through his Special Adviser on Media, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio dismissed Abbo’s claims as “baseless” and characterized them as “media theatrics” stemming from the former senator’s removal from office.
Abbo, in a recent interview on Arise News, had leveled serious allegations against Akpabio’s leadership. 1 However, the Senate President’s office has now countered these accusations, highlighting that Abbo’s removal from the Senate was a result of a judicial process that upheld the rule of law, rather than any political interference.
The statement pointed out that Abbo had previously made similar allegations in 2023, only to retract them later, acknowledging that his accusations were “premature and based on the available information at our disposal.” Akpabio’s aide emphasized that Abbo himself had admitted in a prior conversation that the Senate President had “no involvement” in the court proceedings that led to his ouster, making his current stance perplexing.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo�s presence in the Red Chamber was in error,” the statement firmly asserted. It reiterated that the court’s decision was based on the determination that Abbo was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, leading to his removal in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
Akpabio, a seasoned legal professional and a staunch advocate for democratic principles, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest esteem, the statement insisted. Therefore, the claim that he influenced a court judgment is not only illogical but also irresponsible, especially considering Abbo’s prior acceptance of the ruling and his apology for earlier unfounded claims back in October 2023.
Addressing Abbo’s claims of unpaid benefits, including salaries, allowances, and an official vehicle, Akpabio clarified that the Senate President only approves payments that have been duly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units, adhering strictly to existing laws, Senate procedures, and due diligence practices. Any delays or non-payments of Abbo’s claims, the statement clarified, would be due to a failure to meet these lawful standards, and not a result of any personal animosity or political vendetta.
The Senate President’s office also brought to the public’s attention Abbo’s 2019 incident where he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja, a matter for which a competent court ordered him to pay N50 million in damages. This public record, the statement suggested, speaks volumes about Abbo’s temperament and disposition, further questioning the credibility of his current allegations.
The statement concluded by characterizing Abbo’s ongoing media appearances and his refusal to accept the consequences of his legal and political setbacks as “bitterness and desperation to maintain political relevance.” It emphasized that Senator Godswill Akpabio remains committed to the crucial task of nation-building, providing effective leadership in the Senate, and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the independence of the judiciary. He will not be swayed by the distractions of individuals seeking to distort reality to conceal their own shortcomings.
The Senate President’s office urged Mr. Abbo to engage in serious self-reflection, respect the rule of law, and focus on regaining the trust of his constituents if he harbors any hope of returning to public service in the future. True progress for Nigeria’s democracy, the statement asserted, hinges on its actors demonstrating maturity, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the truth.
