In a pointed critique of Nigeria’s judiciary, former Senator Ishaku Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, expressed concerns about the integrity of the country’s legal system. Abbo, who was recently unseated by the Appeal Court after initially winning a tribunal ruling to return to the Senate, described his experience as evidence of corruption within the judiciary, which he believes is stifling democratic progress.

Speaking with journalists in Yola, Abbo suggested that vote-buying was more rampant within the judicial process than in electoral practice, alleging that judicial decisions are swayed by financial incentives. “My mandate was kidnapped in the courtroom by judiciary bandits,” Abbo said, adding, “Judgment is from God. If you collect money to deliver injustice, you will answer before your creator.”

Abbo also recounted an incident in Abuja where a senior judicial officer allegedly approached him in his hotel, accompanied by his spouse, to demand money on behalf of the judges overseeing his case. “I have the camera records. I want to speak to his community in Taraba State to warn him—before bribes end his career prematurely,” Abbo remarked.

Shifting his focus to political matters, Abbo criticized northern leadership, asserting that many regional leaders prioritize personal gains over representing their communities’ interests. He held that these leaders had pursued personal deals with President Bola Tinubu, thus failing to advocate on behalf of the northern populace.

Regarding his own political future, Abbo indicated he is contemplating a bid for the Adamawa governorship in 2027. While he remains uncertain whether he will run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abbo expressed disappointment with his party’s support during his legal challenges. “I just dey watch,” he said, using a colloquial phrase to suggest that he is observing the ongoing internal conflicts within the APC in Adamawa State. He noted, “If the crisis is genuinely resolved, fine. If not, then the party is finished in Adamawa State.”

Abbo’s statements underscore his call for a judiciary that upholds fairness, which he believes is essential for a thriving democracy in Nigeria.