I’ve No Hand in Your Political Travail, Akpabio tells Ousted Senator
POLITICS DIGEST – Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed his alleged involvement in the political travail of Senator Elisha Abbo, who was sacked from the Senate by the Court of Appeal.
Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Monday, nullified the election of the senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Abbo.
The appellate court declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Amos Yohanna, as the winner of the February 25 senatorial election
Yohanna had in a petition filed at the tribunal sitting in Yola challenged the declaration of Abbo, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the poll, arguing that Abbo did not score the majority of lawful votes cast.
He contended that the poll was marred by irregularities, such as false entries, alteration, and cancellation of votes at several polling units, among others.
The appellate court, in its judgment on Monday, upheld Yohanna’s contention and nullified Abbo’s election.
The Court of Appeal is the final court for the determination of disputes arising from senatorial election cases.
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Speaking to journalists at his residence in Abuja after learning about his sacking, Abbo blamed his fate on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He alleged that Akpabio had a hand in the unfavourable court judgment against him. He alleged further that the Senate President had penciled down four other senators for removal through the court.
“I have it from a reliable source and a very highly placed one for that matter, that myself and four other senators within the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress would be removed from the Senate through rulings from the courts, all because of working against 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,” Abbo claimed.
But reacting to the allegation, Eseme Eyiboh, media aide to the Senate President said his principal has no hand in the court judgement, which sacked Abbo from the Senate.
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.”
