By Kolawole Ojebisi
Elisha Abbo, a former senator who represented Adamawa North, has accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of running the affairs of the Red Chamber like an emperor.
Abbo spoke on Thursday when he appeared on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television.
The former lawmaker made the remarks while criticising the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central.
Abbo, who considers the punishments meted out to Akpoti-Uduaghan high-handed said the withdrawal of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s security detail exposed her to danger.
“He (Akpabio) sat like the emperor that he claims he is and said the woman (Natasha) should be suspended for six months,” Abbo said.
“He also withdrew her security, stopped payment of her salary, barred her from being seen near the national assembly building, and even ordered the inspector general of police not to provide her with security.
“In another way, he exposed her to be killed.
“When you withdraw somebody’s security — which is not right — that means you are exposing them to be killed.
“The IG realised that it was not a good thing to do because if tomorrow they hear that Natasha is killed, something will happen.” the ex-senator added.
The ex-senator said Akpabio’s handling of the saga was unfair, citing the senate president’s past conduct in the 8th senate, where a dispute with former Senate President Bukola Saraki was resolved amicably.
On the planned recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan from the senate, Abbo added that it was a “fraudulent scheme marred by forged signatures”.
Recall that the Kogi lawmaker was suspended on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio.
The senate committee also recommended that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salaries, allowances, and those of her legislative aides be halted.
Her security detail was also withdrawn for the duration of the suspension.
