By Olaitan Ibrahim
Embattled Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has slammed former Senator Elisha Abbo over allegations that he (Akpabio) played a role in his removal from the National Assembly.
Akpabio in a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, described Abbo’s claims as baseless and misleading.
The rebuttal followed allegations made by Abbo during an interview on Arise News TV, where he accused Akpabio of running the Senate like a “personal empire” and orchestrating the removal of five senators, including himself.
A source earlier reported that Abbo accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of running the Nigerian Senate like a personal empire and targeting senators who oppose his views.
Speaking on a TV news on Wednesday, Abbo had claimed that Akpabio orchestrated the removal of five senators, including himself.
The former Adamawa North senator had noted that Akpabio had privately informed him of the planned ousting.
Abbo, who supported Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s bid for Senate President, said Akpabio attempted to win him over with personal appeals and financial incentives.
He further accused Akpabio of denying him travel reimbursements, blocking his participation in an international parliamentary assignment, and withholding his official vehicle after he was removed from office.
But Akpabio in the statement said he was shocked to hear Abbo blame him again for his removal from the Senate barely two years after apologising to him.
The Senate President has constantly been in the news for a series of negative actions including the current crisis of alleged sexual harassment on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
However, Akpabio said, “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.”
Akpabio noted that it was the court and not him that determined Abbo’s fate before he was consequently removed, stressing that he, therefore, found it illogical and irresponsible that Abbo could turn around and allege that he influenced the judgment that he accepted at the time.
He said, “It is there in the papers. 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.
“If any of 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, Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing.
“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.”