Former Senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Ishaku Abbo, has denounced the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the 10th Senate, calling it politically motivated and legally questionable.
Abbo made these remarks during an interview on Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime show, where he accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of political bias and high-handedness.
Abbo argued that Akpabio’s handling of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension lacked fairness, especially compared to his own past conduct in the Senate.
He recalled how Akpabio was involved in a dispute with then-Senate President Bukola Saraki during the 8th Senate, which was resolved amicably.
“In the case of Natasha, it took a different dimension.
“He sat like the emperor that he claims he is and said the woman should be suspended for six months, withdrew her security, barred her from being seen near the National Assembly building, and even ordered the Inspector General of Police not to provide her with security, ” Abbo stated.
The ex-lawmaket further argued that by withdrawing Akpoti- Udaghan’s security, Akpabio had exposed her to danger.
“In another way, he exposed her to be killed. When you withdraw somebody’s security which is not right, that means you are exposing her to be killed.
“The IG realized that it was not a good thing to do because if tomorrow they hear that Natasha is killed, something will happen,” Abbo added.
Abbo also questioned the legality of the suspension, drawing comparisons between Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case and Akpabio’s own past disputes in the Senate.
He suggested that the Senate President’s actions were hypocritical, citing how Akpabio was not suspended despite his involvement in a dispute over a seat in the 8th Assembly.
“If Akpabio was not suspended because of a seat in the 8th Assembly, why are you suspending Natasha for six months, if your only motivation is because of a seat? he queried.
Furthermore, Abbo noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had obtained a court injunction preventing the Senate from investigating her alleged misconduct until the substantive case was heard.
“The Senate went against the court judgement and suspended her— that is contempt of court,” Abbo said.
“It was after they finished suspending Natasha that they went to court to vacate the order barring them.
“And I’m sorry to use this word, but instead of arresting Akpabio for contempt of court, the judge cowardly vacated his own judgement and rescued himself from the case.”
Regarding reports of a planned recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate, Abbo dismissed the process as fraudulent, claiming that signatures were being forged to validate the recall.
He urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to continue her work, stating that the recall attempt was baseless and that Nigeria is not a “banana republic”.
“Senator Natasha should continue doing what she is doing,” he declared.
“I heard that they want to recall her—nobody can recall Natasha. Take note and write it down, we are not a banana Republic. They went to forge signatures.”