Senator Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his associates of spreading rumors about a supposed plan to impeach Akpabio. Abbo claimed that this narrative was orchestrated by Akpabio to create discord between President Bola Tinubu and northern politicians.
Abbo’s assertions come in response to media reports suggesting that there are plans to unseat Akpabio as Senate President when the Senate reconvenes on September 26, 2023. These reports also claimed that prominent senators from the North West and other national assembly members were involved in these plans.
Key points from Senator Abbo’s statement include:
Impeachment Rumors: Abbo alleges that Akpabio and his camp propagated rumors of an impending impeachment to create divisions and tensions within the Senate.
Alleged Division: Abbo expressed concern that the Senate was not functioning as a united body and criticized the allocation of committee chairmanships and resources. He raised questions about the treatment of perceived rivals within the Senate.
Ministerial Screening: Abbo also raised issues related to the screening of ministerial nominees, questioning the Senate President’s absence during a crucial session and the manner in which security reports influenced the clearance of nominees.
Senate’s Role: Abbo questioned the Senate’s role in the process of screening and approving ministerial nominees and suggested that the Senate was not fully engaged in the decision-making process.
Tinubu’s Role: Abbo mentioned President Bola Tinubu’s role in Akpabio becoming Senate President and emphasized that Akpabio should effectively manage his colleagues rather than relying on others to do so on his behalf.
Senator Akpabio has denied the allegations of an impending impeachment against him, describing the reports as malicious and untrue. These allegations and counter-allegations highlight the complexities of Nigerian politics and the dynamics within the Senate.