- Safiu Kehinde
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has reacted to allegations filed against him by former lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Sen. Elisha Abbo.
NPO Reported that Abbo had, in an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday, accused Akpabio of orchestrating his removal alongside four other lawmakers from the Senate.
He also accused the Senate President of withholding his salary and official vehicle over refusal to support his candidacy.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday by Eseme Eyiboh, the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Akpabio labelled Abbo’s allegations as baseless.
He stressed that the ex-Adamawa lawmaker’s claims were borne out of bitterness and desperation to remain relevant.
On claim that Akpabio initiated his removal, Eyiboh recalled how the Court of Appeal had nullified the Abbo’s victory at the February 2023 Parliamentary election with ex-lawmaker admitting that the Senate President is not involved in his removal.
“It is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at our disposal”—Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame transfer.
“Following a discussion with the Senate President last year, Mr. Abbo himself acknowledged that Senator Akpabio had “no involvement” in the judicial process that led to his removal. It is puzzling that he would now return to the same baseless allegations he once renounced.
“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 court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.
“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.
“It is therefore both illogical and irresponsible for Mr. Abbo to now turn around and allege that the Senate President influenced a court judgment—a judgment which he himself accepted at the time and for which he expressed contrition for his earlier unfounded claims. ( see Punch newspaper of 18th October, 2023)” he said.
Eyiboh further dismissed Abbo’s claims of being deprived of his official benefits, including his salary and reimbursement of money spent on assignment.
“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster.
“He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.
“In matters of financial and administrative processing, it must be stated that the Senate President only approves payments that have been duly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units, in line with extant laws, Senate procedures, and standard due diligence practices.
“If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.
“It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing.” He stated.
While slamming Abbo over his assault on a lady in viral video in 2019, Eyiboh held that the ex-lawmaker’s outburst was not driven by fact or principle.
“Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.
“His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant.
“These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.” Eyiboh stated.
He maintained that Akpabio will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary.
“He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.” Eyiboh added.