….described the claims as both illogical and irresponsible.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly dismissed allegations made by former Senator Elisha Abbo, who represented Adamawa North, accusing him of influencing the court ruling that led to Abbo’s removal from the Senate. Akpabio described the claims as both illogical and irresponsible.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio denied any involvement in the judicial decision that nullified Abbo’s election. He emphasized that the ruling by the Court of Appeal was purely a legal matter and not politically motivated.
The statement recalled that in 2023, Abbo had previously made similar allegations against Akpabio but later retracted them, admitting his claims were “premature and based on the available information at the time.” Following discussions with the Senate President, Abbo had acknowledged that Akpabio played no role in the legal proceedings that led to his removal.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Abbo’s election was invalid and that his presence in the Senate was an error. The statement reaffirmed that the court’s decision was reached through due process, without any external interference. It also highlighted Akpabio’s legal background and his commitment to democratic principles, stressing that he upholds the independence of the judiciary.
The statement further refuted Abbo’s accusations that he was denied official entitlements such as salaries, allowances, and an official vehicle. It clarified that the Senate President only approves payments that have undergone proper administrative review and that any claims failing to meet procedural and legal standards would not have reached Akpabio’s desk.
Additionally, the statement referenced Abbo’s past controversies, including a 2019 incident in which he was caught on video assaulting a woman in Abuja. The court had ordered him to pay N50 million in damages. The Senate President’s office suggested that Abbo’s recent claims were an attempt to remain politically relevant rather than being based on factual evidence.
Speaking on Arise TV, Abbo alleged that Akpabio orchestrated the removal of five senators and managed the National Assembly as a personal business. He claimed that Akpabio had forewarned him about the removal of certain senators, and that he later became a target due to his refusal to support Akpabio’s bid for Senate President, opting instead to back Abdulaziz Yari.
Abbo also accused Akpabio of withholding his travel reimbursements and official privileges, alleging that he was denied his salary and excluded from receiving an official vehicle, unlike other departing senators.
In response, Akpabio’s office dismissed Abbo’s assertions as baseless and misleading. The statement reiterated that the Senate President remains focused on governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and upholding judicial independence. It urged Abbo to accept the legal consequences of his removal and refrain from spreading misinformation.
The statement concluded by advising Abbo to reflect on his political career, respect the rule of law, and rebuild the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public service.