Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has categorically dismissed accusations made against him by former Senator Elisha Abbo, labelling them as “spurious” and “malicious” attempts to deflect attention from Abbo’s personal and political shortcomings.
This latest exchange comes after Abbo accused Akpabio of being involved in his removal from the Senate—a claim that Akpabio’s office promptly and firmly rejected.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the spokesperson for Akpabio, condemned the allegations as baseless and suggested that Abbo was merely attempting to rewrite history.
The Senate President underscored that Abbo’s claims were nothing more than an effort to cover up the former lawmaker’s political failures and ongoing legal issues.
Eyiboh accused Abbo of trying to “shift blame” for his judicial dismissal and criticised him for reigniting a controversy he had previously retracted.
“This is a man who, after the Court of Appeal’s ruling last year, openly admitted that his accusations were premature. He acknowledged that his allegations against Senator Akpabio were unfounded and based on incomplete information,” the statement said.
It further pointed out that Abbo, who had represented the Adamawa North Senatorial District before his election was annulled, had voluntarily withdrawn his accusations following a discussion with Akpabio in 2023.
The statement also clarified that Abbo’s removal from the Senate followed a thorough judicial review, which determined that his election had been invalid.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was a mistake. The court’s decision was final and legally binding,” it continued.
Akpabio’s office stressed that the Senate President, as a strong advocate of judicial independence, would never interfere in legal matters.
Abbo’s renewed accusations also included complaints about unpaid benefits. However, Akpabio’s office quickly dismissed these claims, asserting that all financial and administrative matters undergo appropriate scrutiny, and that Abbo’s requests, if not fulfilled, did not meet the legal criteria for such payments.
“If Mr. Abbo’s entitlements were not processed, it is not due to any vendetta from Senator Akpabio, but because they did not meet lawful standards,” the statement clarified.
The statement also made a pointed reference to Abbo’s controversial public record, specifically alluding to the infamous 2019 incident where he was filmed assaulting a woman in Abuja. Abbo was subsequently ordered to pay N50 million in damages.
Akpabio’s office underscored the importance of accountability, urging Abbo to confront his personal and professional failings instead of resorting to what they termed “media theatrics.”
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Akpabio’s commitment to his legislative responsibilities, insisting that he would not be distracted by “unfounded allegations from individuals seeking to rewrite history.”
