A former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District and the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Ishaku Abbo, has sparked fresh debate over the funding of constituency projects after claiming that every serving senator in Nigeria now receives over N2 billion annually for constituency projects, compared to the N220 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 development projects with significantly fewer resources.
Senator Abbo served in the Senate from 11 June 2019 to 16 October 2023.
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 N8 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.
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.
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.