Senate President Akpabio Hits Back At Ex-Senator Abbo's Criticism: What Really Happened?

Senate President Fires Back: Abbo's Claims Described as "Baseless" and "Theatrics"

Let’s get real for a moment. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has decided to take a stand against the accusations thrown his way by former Senator Elisha Abbo. During an interview on Arise News on April 2, 2025, Abbo accused Akpabio of running the Nigerian Senate like a personal kingdom, targeting senators who dare oppose his views. Akpabio, however, isn’t taking these claims lying down, calling them “baseless” and accusing Abbo of engaging in what can only be described as “media theatrics.”

Akpabio Speaks Out Through Adviser

In a statement issued by Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media, Rt. Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President strongly refuted Abbo’s claims. Akpabio emphasized that the accusations were nothing more than a continuation of “spurious and malicious” remarks made by Abbo after his removal from the Senate. This is serious stuff, folks, and Akpabio isn’t shy about defending his reputation.

But it doesn’t stop there. Akpabio also dismissed Abbo’s claims of interference in the Senate, pointing out that the legal process leading to his removal was conducted strictly according to the law and was not influenced by any political figures. It’s like saying, “Hey, the rules were followed, and that’s that.”

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History Repeats Itself: Abbo's Previous Allegations

Here’s something interesting. The statement clarified that Abbo had made similar allegations back in 2023, only to retract them later, admitting that his accusations were “premature and based on the available information at our disposal.” This makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Why would Abbo make the same claims now when he admitted they were unfounded before?

Akpabio pointed out that Abbo himself had acknowledged in a prior conversation that he had no involvement in the judicial process that led to his removal from the Senate. So, it’s kind of puzzling, right? If Abbo already admitted this, why is he bringing it up again? It’s like déjà vu but with a twist.

For the Record: The Court's Decision

Let’s break it down. The statement emphasized that the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Senate was, well, a mistake. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, leading to his removal. The court acted according to the law, and Akpabio, being a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the judiciary in the highest regard. He wouldn’t interfere in its processes, the statement insisted.

Unpaid Benefits: Fact or Fiction?

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Abbo’s claims about unpaid benefits. Akpabio stressed that the Senate President only approves payments that have been properly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units. If Abbo’s claims for payments didn’t reach the Senate President, it wasn’t due to personal vendettas but because they didn’t meet lawful standards. It’s like saying, “Hey, the rules are the rules, and if you don’t follow them, don’t blame me.”

And here’s a little history lesson for you. Akpabio reminded Nigerians of the 2019 incident where Abbo was caught on video assaulting a female citizen, resulting in a court-ordered N50 million compensation. This incident doesn’t paint the best picture of Abbo’s temperament and disposition, does it?

Abbo's Media Theatrics: A Sign of Desperation?

The Senate President’s office pointed out that Abbo’s ongoing media theatrics and his inability to accept the consequences of his legal and political failures only underscore his bitterness and desperation to maintain political relevance. It’s like watching a drama unfold on national television, and Akpabio isn’t here for it.

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The statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention. He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”

It’s 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.

Final Thoughts: Akpabio's Focus on Nation-Building

Suffice it to say, Senator Godswill 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 won’t let the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history distract him. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and respect for the truth.

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. After all, Nigeria’s democracy is counting on mature and responsible leaders who value the truth.