Former Adamawa North senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, has launched a scathing attack on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of hypocrisy and unfair treatment in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate. Speaking on Arise TV, Abbo compared Akpabio’s actions in this case with his own past experiences under former Senate President Bukola Saraki, accusing the current Senate President of ruling with an “emperor-like” authority.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from an allegation of sexual harassment made against her. Abbo, known for his own controversial past, questioned the fairness of Akpabio’s decision, particularly in light of a similar incident that took place during the 8th Senate when Akpabio himself had a public altercation with Saraki over seating arrangements, but was not penalized.
Abbo’s criticism was aimed directly at Akpabio’s handling of the situation involving Akpoti-Uduaghan. He remarked that Akpabio had “acted like an emperor” in making the decision to suspend the senator for six months, highlighting the perceived inconsistency in how disciplinary matters are dealt with in the Senate.
He pointed to his own experiences in the Senate, where he recalled a heated verbal exchange between Akpabio and Saraki, where Akpabio was not suspended, despite the severity of the confrontation. Abbo claimed that the comparison illustrated how Akpabio applied different standards of punishment depending on the individual involved. According to Abbo, Akpabio’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan showed a level of authoritarian control that he believes undermines the principles of fairness and justice in the Senate.
“I find it ironic that Akpabio was never punished for the same offence when he was in the 8th Senate, but Natasha was handed a six-month suspension for a similar issue,” Abbo said.
Abbo also used the platform to revisit his own contentious political career, specifically his ousting from the Senate after he was accused of electoral fraud. He described his removal from the Senate as an example of “judicial banditry,” accusing the judge who ruled against him of knowingly issuing an unjust decision. Abbo claimed that after the ruling, an intermediary was sent to his house to convince him to accept the decision.
The former senator explained that the court had cancelled results from two local governments, affecting 203 polling units, without ordering a rerun. He branded the decision as “outright robbery” and criticized the National Judicial Council (NJC) for failing to take action against what he perceived as judicial misconduct. He called for the restructuring of the NJC to ensure greater accountability, particularly when it comes to appellate judges.
“I was robbed of my seat, and the NJC failed to take any action. If the judiciary is to have any credibility, it must be reformed to ensure accountability,” Abbo added.
Abbo also faced questions about his own controversial actions, particularly his involvement in several high-profile assaults. One of the incidents that gained significant attention was when he was filmed slapping a store owner in an intimate gadgets shop in Abuja in 2019. The video went viral, and the lawmaker was widely condemned for his actions.
In response to the incident, Abbo claimed that the video had been doctored and that it did not include the part where his sister was allegedly assaulted. He claimed that his actions were in retaliation for the alleged assault on his sister. However, despite his explanation, the public backlash was severe, and Abbo was subsequently fined N50 million by the court for the assault.
The controversy did not end there. Abbo was caught on camera once again in an altercation, this time with a man named Silas Daniel, a former personal assistant to the senator. Reports suggested that Daniel was attacked by thugs armed with machetes, daggers, and clubs, allegedly at Abbo’s orders. The attack was linked to a dispute between the two, though Abbo denied the allegations.
In January 2023, further controversy surrounded Abbo after reports revealed that he had ordered the detention of freelance journalist Yau Saeed Mubi. Mubi had published an article criticizing the lack of good governance in Adamawa North, where Abbo represented. According to reports, police from the Federal Capital Territory arrested Mubi on Abbo’s orders, a move that raised concerns about the senator’s influence over the police and his handling of dissenting opinions.
Abbo’s statements and his criticisms of Akpabio’s leadership in the Senate are part of a wider narrative surrounding the political landscape in Nigeria. His accusations against Akpabio come at a time when there is increasing public scrutiny of the political elite and their actions. The allegations against Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the subsequent suspension, have sparked debates about the fairness of disciplinary actions within the Senate. Critics argue that political figures often wield too much power, making it difficult to ensure impartiality and fairness in the decision-making process.
Abbo’s own controversial past, which includes accusations of electoral fraud, assaults, and abuse of power, has made him a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics. His comments regarding Akpabio may also be seen as an attempt to distance himself from the more autocratic methods employed by some politicians in the country. While his criticisms of Akpabio may resonate with some, his own actions continue to draw attention to the need for greater accountability and transparency within Nigerian politics.
As both Abbo and Akpabio face criticism for their actions, calls for reforms in both the judicial and legislative sectors have gained momentum. Many Nigerians believe that the political elite, including members of the Senate, often use their power to silence dissent and manipulate the system for personal gain. There is a growing demand for a more transparent and accountable political process that prioritizes justice over political interests.
Senator Abbo’s comments are a reflection of the frustration many Nigerians feel about the state of governance and the manipulation of power by those in positions of authority. His calls for judicial reforms and his criticism of Akpabio highlight the deepening divide between political leaders and the people they serve.
