Mambilla's Political Brawl: Atiku Blasts APC, Demands Corruption Proof in 2027 Race Row
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly refuted allegations by the APC Campaign Council linking him to corruption in the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and a $500,000 payment. While the ICC tribunal rejected an explanation for the payment, Abubakar argues the APC has distorted the findings, stating no corruption verdict was delivered against him. He challenges the ruling party to provide specific evidence from the tribunal's award.The political arena in Nigeria is currently embroiled in a significant dispute following allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, which has called for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. These demands are rooted in revelations from an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal in Paris concerning the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, which the APC claims raise serious questions about Abubakar's role and integrity.
Dele Alake, spokesman for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, highlighted a specific $500,000 payment made on January 30, 2003. This payment, from Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd., to Jennifer Douglas (Abubakar's then-wife) via China Castle Investments Ltd. into a U.S. Citibank account, is alleged by the APC to be connected to the subsequent award of a build-operate-transfer contract for the Mambilla project to Sunrise on May 22, 2003. The council further alleged that Abubakar, in concert with former Power Minister Olu Agunloye, facilitated this contract without proper authorization from the Federal Executive Council, thereby exposing Nigeria to substantial financial claims, including a separate claim exceeding $2.7 billion. The tribunal, while ultimately rejecting Sunrise’s claims against Nigeria and ordering reimbursement of legal fees, reportedly observed a “close connection in time” between the payment and the alleged contract award.
In a direct and forceful rebuttal, Atiku Abubakar, speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused the APC Campaign Council of deliberately distorting the Mambilla arbitration outcome. Abubakar stated that the ruling party had selectively interpreted the tribunal’s award, transforming it into a