Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and spokesperson to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed claims by Elisha Abbo that Akpabio orchestrated his removal as Senator representing Adamawa North.
Abbo’s allegations, made on Arise News’ PrimeTime, claimed Akpabio warned him of an impending removal, stating “I am the Senate President.”
However, Eseme Eyiboh countered that Abbo’s claims are an attempt to deflect responsibility for his legal troubles.
He pointed out that Abbo had retracted similar accusations in 2023, acknowledging his claims were premature and based on faulty information.
Recall that the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which invalidated Abbo’s election, followed a thorough legal process in line with the constitution.
Abbo’s removal was a result of the Court of Appeal’s decision in October 2023, which declared Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the rightful winner of the senatorial race.
Eyiboh emphasized that Akpabio respects the independence of the judiciary and would never interfere in judicial matters.
“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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error.
“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.
“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 judgment—a judgment which he himself accepted at the time and for which he expressed contrition for his earlier unfounded claims.”
In response to Abbo’s claims about being denied official benefits after his ouster, Eyiboh clarified that Akpabio only approves payments that have been vetted according to senate procedures.
“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.
“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.”
