Exclusive: Former Lawmaker Accuses Senate President Of Power Play

Ex-National Assembly Member Opens Up on Senate Power Struggles

Listen up, folks: A former lawmaker from Adamawa North, Elisha Ishaku Abbo, has gone public with some pretty serious accusations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. During an interview on Arise News, Abbo claimed that Akpabio was behind the removal of five senators, himself included. The situation is heating up in the corridors of power in Nigeria’s Senate, and it’s a story that’s got everyone talking.

According to Naija News, Abbo made these explosive claims during a late-night interview on April 2, 2025. He alleged that Akpabio is running the Senate like his own personal empire, targeting senators who dare to oppose his views. It's like a high-stakes game of politics, and Abbo is spilling all the tea.

Behind Closed Doors: Pressure Tactics and Financial Lures

Abbo shared that he initially supported Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s bid for Senate President. However, he recounted that Akpabio personally approached him, trying to sway his allegiance with personal appeals and even financial incentives. Imagine this: a 2 a.m. visit to a hotel room, where the Senate President himself is knocking on your door, asking for your support. Abbo stood firm, stating his commitment to Yari.

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Then came the infamous meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, where $10,000 was being handed out to sway votes. But Abbo refused to take the money. "I told him I was already committed to Yari," he said. The scene feels straight out of a political drama, doesn’t it?

The Fallout: A Targeted Campaign?

Abbo accused Akpabio of retaliating against him for not playing along. He claimed that Akpabio denied him travel reimbursements, blocked his participation in an international parliamentary assignment, and even withheld his official vehicle after he was removed from office. "Every other senator who was removed by the courts got their vehicles, but I was excluded," Abbo stated. "This is the level of vindictiveness displayed by Akpabio."

He also highlighted the case of Senator Ali Ndume. When Ndume raised concerns about the Senate’s leadership style, he was promptly removed as Chief Whip and stripped of his position as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. "It’s a pattern," Abbo suggested, pointing to what he sees as a systematic effort to silence opposition.

Rule Changes: A Power Grab?

Abbo revealed that he moved a motion to amend the Senate Standing Rules, proposing that only senators who had served at least one term could contest for Senate leadership. But Akpabio, according to Abbo, rewrote the rules to allow first-term senators to become leaders of both the majority and minority caucuses. "It’s all about control," Abbo explained. "He wants to control everything and everyone."

In a candid moment, Abbo described the dynamic in Akpabio’s house, saying, "Senators serve him tea." He emphasized that senators are colleagues, not subordinates. "You’re no longer a governor," Abpbo told Akpabio. "These senators are not here to serve you tea."

Defending the Senate’s Integrity

Abbo concluded by defending the integrity of the Senate itself, distinguishing between the institution and its current leadership. "I have always defended the integrity of the Senate," he said. "The issue is the leadership, not the institution itself." His words carry weight, as they reflect a broader concern about the balance of power within Nigeria’s legislative body.

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This story is far from over, and as the drama unfolds, all eyes are on the Nigerian Senate. Will these accusations lead to change, or will the status quo prevail? Stay tuned for more updates.