ABUJA, Nigeria — Senate President Godswill Akpabio don set record straight after former lawmaker Elisha Abbo accuse am of influencing im removal from di Senate. Di confrontation happened on April 3, 2025, as Akpabio respond to Abbo allegations wey dem make during television interview.
Abbo, wey represent Adamawa North before di Court of Appeal sacked am on October 16, 2023, don claim say Akpabio orchestrate di court ruling after im refuse to back di Senate President for im election bid. In di interview, Abbo accuse Akpabio of turning di Senate into im personal empire.
Akpabio, for hin own side, no take di accusations lightly. In statement wey comot from hin media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, di Senate President express shock say Abbo still dey place blame on am again, saying na courts, not him, wey determine Abbo fate. “It is sad and regrettable that, despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023, Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame transfer,” Akpabio talk.
Di Senate President remind Abbo say dem don discuss di matter before, wey im admit say Akpabio no get anything to do with di judicial decision. Akpabio emphasize say di court ruling wey remove Abbo was based on legal frameworks, not any influence from hin.
“For di avoidance of doubt, di Court of Appeal ruled that Mr. Abbo was not validly elected as senator. Di court act according to di law to uphold di rule of law,” Akpabio add.
As di drama continue, Abbo don already claim say he no dey receive some financial benefits wey he suppose get after hin removal. He talk say he dey see am like punishment for his political stance. Di former senator talk say, “He told me that five senators would be removed. True to his words, five of us were removed.”
Akpabio, however, counter di claims by saying all Senate payments dey go through administrative processes and if Abbo no get di allowance, na because dem no follow di right procedures. “If any of Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach di desk of di Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards not because of any personal or political vendetta,” di statement concludes.
Di fallout from di exchange show di tension wey dey among lawmakers in di current administration, especially regarding issues of accountability and political loyalty. Akpabio don repeatedly insist say he dey focused on nation-building and leadership in di Senate, while urging Abbo to learn from di circumstances surrounding hin removal.
“We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect di rule of law, and focus on rebuilding di 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 di truth,” Akpabio state.
