- Safiu Kehinde
Former lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Sen. Elisha Abbo, has accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of initiating his removal from the Red Chamber alongside four other Senators.
Abbo also accused Akpabio of withholding his salary and official vehicle for challenging his candidacy as the Senate President.
Recall that the Adamawa lawmaker was on the 17th of October sacked by the Court of Appeal and was replaced by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Amos Yohanna who the court declared winner of the February 25, 2023 Parliamentary election.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday evening, Abbo recounted how Akpabio visited his hotel room at 2am to solicit for his support for the Senate Presidency.
Abbo disclosed that he had turned down his request on how account of his commitment to his fellow contender Sen. Abdulaziz Yari.
“Remember in this same studio, I accused Akpabio as one of the people who came together to say that I was out of the Senate.
“When I won election to the 10th Senate, I became like a de facto DG Campaign to Senator Abdulaziz Yari. In this very place where we are, Akpabio came to my hotel room around 2am and pleaded that I should work for him. I told him that ‘I won’t work for you because I’m already committed to Senator Yari and these are my reasons. However, I wish you good luck.’ He said as a Christian like him, I should work for him to balance the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“And I told him the testimonies I heard from the people of the 8th Senate was not a good one about you. And I told the Vice President when he called me to work for you that I won’t work for you.” Abbo said.
“One day they said there was a meeting in floor four of Transcorp Hilton and they were dashing out $10,000 each. I told them I won’t collect the money.” He said.
After Akpabio’s victory, Abbo disclosed how the Senate President, had during a lengthy discussion at his house, took him to his chapel and revealed plan to remove five Senators which eventually occured as Akpabio said.
“Now after the election, one of this case was in his house. We had a lengthy discussion and he started taking me around the house.
“And he said do you know that I have a chapel in my house? And said woah you have a chapel? Let me see.
“We went down and he showed me the chapel. And in the chapel he told me that you know you are my brother. I said yes.
“He said five Senators will leave the Senate. I said how did you know. He said I’m the Senate President. And true to what Akpabio said, five of us left. I had no idea I was pasted for removal.” Abbo stated.
The former lawmaker further recounted his ordeal in the hand of Akpabio for challenging his candidacy.
He alleged that the Senate, under Akpabio’s directive withheld his salary having earlier failed to reimburse him of the money he spent when he went to represent the Senate at an event in Kenya.
He also claimed Akpabio refused to his release his official vehicle which was given to other Senators who left the Red Chamber.
“When I was in the Senate, I travelled to Kenya for a Parliamentary assignment. I spent my own money about $14,000. I submitted paper for reimbursement. They refused to pay me to this very day.
“Before I was removed, I already obtained Angolan visa to represent the Senate at the Hapi Conference in Angola. The practice has been even if you are not a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives, as long as you are representing the country, in fact former Senators and members of the House of Reps still representing Nigeria until you people come in and were inaugurated.
“He told me back from the airport, that is Akpabio, my salary for that month was moved on the 19th. By Federal Government’s rule of engagement, after 15th you will be paid your full salary. I was moved on the 19th of October. My salary was not paid for that month on the orders of Akpabio.
“And let me tell you one worts thing that he did, there are 109 Senators. Now five of us were removed. Two left. Umahi left to become Minister for Works, Gaidan left to become Minister for Police Affairs, making seven Senators that left the National Assembly.
“Out of the seven Senators that left, Akpabio sent their official cars to their houses.
“Every Senators that left the Senate got their official vehicles, leaving only Senator Abbo alone. Senator Danladi got his own, the two Senators from Plateau.
“The four of us removed by the court all got their own. And the two that left before me that I screened to become Ministers also got their own car, leaving me out of the 116 Senators sworn in to the 10th Assembly.
“Because I challenged Akpabio, I was the only Senator they refused to give the car. That is vindictiveness of somebody called Akpabio.” Abbo said.