Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied any role in the removal of former Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Abbo, from the National Assembly.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio dismissed Abbo’s allegations as baseless.
Abbo was sacked on October 16, 2023, following a Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja. The three-member panel, led by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Abbo accused Akpabio of orchestrating his removal and running the Senate like an emperor. He also criticized the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
Reacting, Akpabio expressed shock at Abbo’s renewed accusations, reminding the public that Abbo had previously apologized in 2023 for making similar claims.
“It is sad and regrettable that, after publicly retracting this allegation in 2023—admitting his initial claims were based on incomplete information—Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame-shifting,” Akpabio said.
He emphasized that the judiciary, not him, determined Abbo’s fate and found it illogical for Abbo to suggest he influenced the court ruling.
Akpabio also addressed Abbo’s claims of being denied post-tenure benefits, stating that any rejected claims failed to meet legal requirements, not because of personal or political reasons.
“Rather than accepting the legal and political consequences of his actions, Abbo resorts to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing,” the statement read.
Akpabio reaffirmed his commitment to nation-building and democratic governance, urging Abbo to respect the rule of law and rebuild trust with his constituents if he hopes to return to public service.
