Senators Serve Akpabio Tea At Home; He Has Turned Some of His Colleagues To Errand Boys, He Runs Senate Like Personal Empire —Senator Abbo

 Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo has publicly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of centralizing power and marginalizing colleagues who dissent from his leadership approach. In a candid interview with Arise TV, Abbo alleged that Akpabio is running the Senate as a personal empire and has turned some senators into errand boys.

Abbo claimed that Akpabio had forewarned him about the removal of five senators, including himself, indicating a premeditated effort to sideline certain members. He recounted, "He told me that five senators would be removed. I asked how he knew, and he said, 'I am the Senate President. I know.' True to his words, five of us were removed. I had no idea that I was one of them."

The senator from Adamawa North also detailed attempts by Akpabio to secure his support during the Senate presidency race, including late-night visits and financial incentives, which Abbo declined. He described an instance where Akpabio visited his hotel room around 2 AM seeking support, to which Abbo responded that he was already committed to another candidate. He also mentioned a meeting at Transcorp Hilton where $10,000 was being distributed, but he refused to accept the money.

Further accusations include Akpabio's alleged vindictive actions post-removal, such as denying Abbo travel reimbursements, obstructing his participation in international parliamentary assignments, and withholding his official vehicle. Abbo noted that other senators who were removed received their vehicles, highlighting what he perceives as targeted vindictiveness.

Abbo also pointed to the treatment of Senator Ali Ndume, who was removed from his position as Chief Whip and stripped of his role as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations after raising concerns about Senate operations. Additionally, Abbo criticized changes to the Senate Standing Rules that allowed first-term senators to assume leadership positions, suggesting this was a move by Akpabio to consolidate control.

He further alleged that in Akpabio's residence, senators are made to serve him tea, indicating a dynamic where colleagues are treated subserviently. Abbo emphasized, "I told him, 'You are no longer a governor. These senators are our colleagues, not your commissioners. They are not here to serve you tea.'"

These revelations underscore growing tensions within the Nigerian Senate, with concerns about leadership style and internal democracy coming to the forefront.