The sacked Nigerian federal lawmaker from Adamawa State, Senator Elisha Abbo, representing Adamawa North senatorial district, has accused, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, of being behind the nullification of his election at the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday sacked Senator Abbo, a candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) who was earlier declared winner of the March 25 at the National Assembly election.
The Court had accordingly ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Senator Abbo and issue same to Rev. Amos Yohanna Kumai of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the Monday judgement, Senator Abbo on his verified Facebook page, had said, “The Court Appeal in Abuja just voided my election. The gang up has temporarily worked. I will soon address the press.”
Speaking on his sack, while addressing pressmen at his place, Abbo claimed four other senators who worked against the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President had been targeted for removal from the Red Chamber through the court.
Abbo specifically mentioned Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC Abia North) as the next target for removal from the Senate.
He was quoted by Daily Trust as saying: “I have it from a reliable source that myself and four other senators within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from the Senate through rulings from the courts, all because of working against the emergence of Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate.
“I won’t mention the names of all the four other ones targeted but the next in line is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.”
He expressed his surprise that with over 11,000 votes margin of victory he had above his closest rival, Yohanna Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, the Appeal Court overturned his victory.
“The court judgement is strange and the judiciary needs to please remain the last hope of the common man,” Abbo said.
He, however, appealed to his supporters to remain calm, vowing to re-contest in 2027.
Efforts made to get the reaction of Akpabio to the allegation did not yield result at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has distanced himself from the sack of Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Abbo by the Court of Appeal.
Akpabio said contrary to Abbo’s claim, he has no reason to witch-hunt the sacked lawmaker.
Following his sack by the Appeal Court, Abbo had accused Akpabio of being responsible for his removal.
Abbo said four other senators who worked against the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President had been penciled down to be sacked.
He alleged that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was Akpabio’s next target.
Reacting, Akpabio accused Abbo of looking for a scapegoat.
He disclosed this while speaking through his Media Aide, Eseme Eyiboh.
Addressing newsmen, Eyiboh said, “It is unfortunate if he actually said that Akpabio was responsible for his removal. That’s the swan song of a man looking for scapegoats.
“The Court of Appeal across the country decides cases based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and evidence advanced by petitioners. The Senate President has no reason to witch-hunt any of his colleagues.”
Abbo was among the Senators that campaigned for Senator Yari during the struggle to elect Senate President.
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