The Office of the President of the Senate has dismissed recent allegations made by former Senator Elisha Abbo, describing them as “spurious and malicious.”
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, through his official spokesperson, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, has categorically denied any involvement in the judicial decision that led to Abbo’s removal from the Senate.
Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before his ouster, has once again accused Senator Akpabio of influencing the judicial ruling that declared his election invalid.
However, the Senate President’s office has pointed out that Abbo had previously retracted similar claims in 2023, admitting that his initial accusations were “premature and based on the available information at our disposal.” Following discussions with Akpabio at the time, Abbo acknowledged that the Senate President had “no involvement” in his removal.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Abbo’s presence in the Senate was in error and that he was not validly elected. The decision, according to the statement, was based on due legal process and was not influenced by any political actor. The statement further emphasized that Senator Akpabio, a lawyer and committed democrat, respects the independence of the judiciary and has no history of interfering in its processes.
Additionally, the statement refuted Abbo’s claims that he was unjustly denied official benefits, including salaries, allowances, and an official vehicle. It clarified that the Senate President only approves payments that have undergone due administrative processes and that any claims failing to meet legal and procedural standards would not have reached his desk.
The statement also referenced Abbo’s past controversies, including a 2019 incident where he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja, for which he was ordered by a court to pay N50 million in damages. The Senate President’s office suggested that Abbo’s recent accusations were attempts to remain politically relevant rather than grounded in fact.
Senator Akpabio, according to the statement, remains focused on national development, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring the independence of the judiciary. The office urged Abbo to respect the rule of law and focus on rebuilding the trust of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life.
The statement concluded by calling for political maturity and responsibility among Nigeria’s democratic actors, stressing that democracy thrives when leaders uphold truth and integrity.
