Taiwo Amodu, Author at Sporting Tribune

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has refuted accusations that he instigated the removal of the erstwhile Senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, from the Red Chamber. Abbo was removed following a pronouncement by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that his presence in the National Assembly was an error. The axed lawmaker, however, claimed during an Arise TV programme that Senator Akpabio opposed his return because he supported Senator Abdulaziz Yari for the exalted position of Senate President. Reacting through a statement on Thursday, Honourable Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media/Publicity and official spokesperson to the President of the Senate, dismissed Abbo's allegation as unfounded. The President of the Senate maintained: “The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed. The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law.” Akpabio recalled that Abbo made a similar allegation in 2023, which he later retracted, and wondered why he has repeated it two years later. The President of the Senate urged Abbo to adhere to the truth regarding the court’s pronouncement, which ended his illegal stay in the Red Chamber, rather than pointing fingers in the wrong direction. *“Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and Democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes. “It is, therefore, both illogical and irresponsible for Mr Abbo to now turn around and allege that the Senate President influenced a court judgement—a judgement which he himself accepted at the time and for which he expressed contrition for his earlier unfounded claims (see Punch newspaper of 18 October 2023). “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. “In matters of financial and administrative processing, it must be stated that the Senate President only approves payments that have been duly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units, in line with extant laws, Senate procedures, and standard due diligence practices. “If any of Mr 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, Mr Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay ₦50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition. “His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust. “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 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.” ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE