The Office of the President of the Senate has dismissed fresh allegations by former Senator Elisha Abbo, describing them as baseless and malicious.

Abbo, who lost his Senate seat following a judicial ruling, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating his removal. He also alleged that Akpabio endangered suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by withdrawing her security details.

Speaking on Arise News’ PrimeTime show, Abbo said: “He sat like an emperor and ordered her suspension, stopped her salary, barred her from the National Assembly, and even instructed the Inspector General of Police not to provide her with security. In another way, he exposed her to be killed.”

He questioned why Akpabio had taken such action when he himself had clashed with former Senate President Bukola Saraki in the 8th Assembly without facing suspension.

However, in a statement on Thursday, Akpabio’s media aide, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, rejected Abbo’s claims, stating that the Senate President had no role in the legal process that led to his removal.

“It is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023, Mr Abbo has returned to the same baseless claims he previously renounced,” Eyiboh said.

The Senate Presidency maintained that Abbo lost his seat due to a Court of Appeal ruling, which found his election invalid.

“The court acted in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, as a seasoned lawyer and democrat, upholds the independence of the judiciary and would never interfere in its processes,” the statement read.

Addressing Abbo’s claims regarding unpaid salaries and benefits, the statement clarified that financial disbursements follow due process and that any claims that did not meet legal and administrative standards would not have reached Akpabio’s desk for approval.

It also referenced Abbo’s past controversies, including his 2019 assault on a female citizen, for which he was fined ₦50 million by a court.

“It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr Abbo resorts to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing,” Eyiboh said.

The Senate President reaffirmed his commitment to nation-building and strengthening democratic institutions, urging Abbo to “respect the rule of law and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life.”