Former Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Ishaku Abbo, has emerged as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate for Adamawa State ahead of the forthcoming election, following his ratification as a consensus candidate in Yola on Saturday.
Abbo’s emergence comes months after his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he accused the party’s Northeast Zonal Vice Chairman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, of throwing the party into “chaos and confusion.”
The former senator was endorsed and ratified by party stakeholders, positioning him as Labour Party’s candidate in what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship race.
His entry into the race is already generating political ripples across Adamawa State amid growing discontent over the alleged imposition of the APC candidate, Ahmed Galadima Aminu.
Political observers say Abbo’s popularity in parts of the state, coupled with dissatisfaction among some blocs within rival parties, could reshape the dynamics of the governorship contest and intensify the battle for Adamawa Government House.
Born May 2, 1976, in Adamawa State, Abbo became one of Nigeria’s youngest senators when elected in 2019 to represent Adamawa North.
Initially a member of the PDP, he later defected to the APC in 2020, and by 2025 was associated with the ADC coalition platform.
His political appeal was rooted in youth representation, but his tenure was marred by scandals that eroded public trust.
2019 Assault Incident
Abbo first gained national notoriety in July 2019 when a viral video showed him assaulting a woman in an Abuja intimacy gadget shop. The footage sparked outrage, leading to calls for his resignation and a Senate investigation.
Though he apologised publicly, the incident permanently damaged his image.
In October 2023, the Court of Appeal removed him from the Senate, transferring his mandate to Amos Yohanna of the PDP.
Rape Allegation
In June 2025, Abbo was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at his Katampe residence in Abuja.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported the allegations made the victim. However, Abbo later denied the allegations and reports of his arrest, calling it a “smear campaign by political enemies.”
He alleged the girl’s mother tried to extort N5 million from him, while the victim’s family accused him of attempting to silence them with money.
The case reignited public anger, with critics pointing to his history of misconduct.
Despite the scandals and controversies, Abbo has remained active in politics, often switching party affiliations and maintaining a vocal presence.
