Former Adamawa North Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of attempting to bribe him to secure his support during his tenure in the Senate.

Abbo, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made this claim during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, April 2.

He alleged that his refusal to support Akpabio’s bid for the Senate presidency ultimately led to his removal from the Senate.

According to Abbo, he was offered a $10,000 bribe to defect from the camp of Senator Abdul Aziz Yari to Akpabio’s side, but he declined due to his loyalty to Yari.

He further claimed that Vice President Kashim Shettima personally reached out to persuade him to support Akpabio. However, he stood by his decision, citing concerns about Akpabio’s past leadership in the Senate.

Recounting the events, Abbo stated: "Now, let me start with myself as a person. In this very studio, I have said before that Akpabio was among those who conspired to remove me from the Senate. After I won my seat in the 10th Senate, I became a de facto campaign leader for Senator Abdul Aziz Yari. Akpabio came to my hotel room at Transcorp Hilton around 2 a.m. and pleaded with me to support him."

"I told him I could not because I had already committed to Yari, and I explained my reasons. He tried to persuade me, saying he was a Christian like me and that I should support him to balance the Muslim-Muslim ticket. I responded that the testimonies I heard from those in the 8th Senate about his leadership were not favorable. I also told the Vice President when he called to convince me."

Abbo also alleged that at a meeting on the fourth floor of Transcorp Hilton, where $10,000 was being distributed, he refused to accept the money.

He recalled a later conversation at Akpabio’s residence: "One day, after the election, I visited his house, and we had a lengthy discussion. He took me around and showed me a chapel in his house. He told me, ‘You are my brother,’ and I agreed. Then he said, ‘Five senators will leave the Senate.’ I asked how he knew, and he replied, ‘I am the Senate President, and I know.’ Eventually, five of us were removed, just as he had said."

NBA