Each Senator Gets Over ₦2bn Annually – Sen Abbo Sparks Debate Over Constituency Project Funds

• Ishaku Abbo claims each serving senator now receives over ₦2 billion annually for constituency projects, up from ₦220 million during his tenure.

• Former senator says he delivered more infrastructure and empowerment projects with smaller allocations than his successor allegedly achieved with about ₦8 billion in four years.

• Abbo recounts surviving an alleged assassination attempt after challenging what he described as illegal extortion by security personnel in Michika.

July 15, () — Former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District and the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Adamawa governorship election, Ishaku Abbo, has sparked fresh debate over the funding of constituency projects after claiming that every serving senator in Nigeria now receives over ₦2 billion annually for constituency projects, compared to the ₦220 million yearly allocation available during his tenure in the National Assembly.

Abbo made the claim in a  statement addressed on Wednesday to the people of Michika Local Government Area, where he contrasted his record in office with that of his successor, arguing that he executed more developmental projects with significantly fewer resources.

reports that Senator Abbo served in the Nigerian Senate from 11 June 2019 to 16 October 2023.

According to the former senator, constituency project allocations during his tenure stood at ₦220 million per year, whereas each senator now allegedly receives more than ₦2 billion annually.

He claimed that although he had access to only about 10 per cent of the amount now allegedly allocated, he delivered more projects across Michika than his successor, who, according to him, had access to approximately ₦8 billion over four years.

Abbo said his interventions included the construction of three hospitals in Kubi, Sina Kwande and Garta, renovation of three existing hospitals, construction of schools, boreholes and culverts, as well as the facilitation of federal employment opportunities and financial empowerment for young people.

He also credited himself with ensuring the reconstruction of the Kudzum Bridge after facilitating the revocation of the contract from what he described as a non-performing contractor.

While neither the National Assembly nor the Federal Government has officially confirmed the figure cited by the former lawmaker, his remarks are expected to reignite public debate over the size, utilisation and accountability of constituency project funds.

Recounts Alleged Assassination Attempt

Beyond constituency projects, Abbo revisited his long-running allegations of human rights abuses in Michika, claiming he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on May 29, 2022, after confronting what he described as illegal extortion by security personnel operating in the area.

He alleged that soldiers opened fire while searching for him after he challenged the collection of illegal levies on cement, roofing sheets, fertiliser, motorcycles and other essential goods entering Michika.

According to him, commercial motorcycle operators were compelled to pay ₦5,000 monthly before receiving identification numbers that permitted them to operate within the area.

The former senator said he raised the issue on the floor of the Senate, resulting in the reversal of the alleged illegal collections.

Abbo further claimed that he escaped the incident with the assistance of former Michika Local Government Chairman, Luka Danbaba, and another associate who drove him through neighbouring communities to safety while members of his convoy and aides hid overnight to avoid arrest.

Says He Continued Rights Advocacy After Leaving Office

Abbo also claimed that after leaving the Senate, he continued speaking out against alleged abuses in Michika, including what he described as the activities of a military officer accused of intimidating residents and monopolising business activities.

He alleged that his sustained campaign eventually led to the officer’s arrest and removal from the area by the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army has not publicly responded to the latest allegations contained in the statement.