Mambilla: APC campaign council asks Atiku to quit 2027 presidential race

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council asked urged African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race over ICC arbitration revelations.

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The ​‌‌‍​‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠​⁠​‍⁠⁠‌‌​council alleged that proceedings before an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal in Paris had raised serious questions about the former vice president’s role in the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project controversy.

Dele Alake, spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The arbitration involved Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd., its promoter, Leno Adesanya, and the Federal Government over the stalled project in Taraba.

The ICC tribunal ultimately rejected Sunrise’s claims against Nigeria and ordered the company and Mr Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria for 75 per cent of its legal fees and expenses.

The APC council focused on a $500,000 payment made by Mr Adesanya to Jennifer Douglas, who was then married to Atiku, on 30 January, 2003.

According to the tribunal record, the payment was made through China Castle Investments Ltd., an offshore company controlled by Mr Adesanya, into Ms Douglas’ Citibank account in the United States.

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The council alleged that the payment was connected to the subsequent award of a build-operate-transfer contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla project.

It also alleged that Atiku and former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, worked together to facilitate the contract in spite of objections to the deal.

The APC said the disputed contract was signed in 2003, when Atiku was vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It alleged that the contract was not authorised by the Federal Executive Council and subsequently exposed Nigeria to substantial financial claims.

The campaign council cited the tribunal’s observation concerning the timing of the $500,000 payment and the alleged award of the Sunrise contract.

According to the APC, the tribunal noted a “close connection in time” between the payment on 30 January 2003, and the alleged award of the contract on 22 May, 2003.

However, the tribunal record also shows that Mr Adesanya described the payment as part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.

Reports on the award said the tribunal found that the explanation was not supported by documentary evidence, including records of the underlying naira payment or instructions from Atiku or his aides.

The tribunal did not make a finding that the former vice president received a bribe, according to a report on the final award.

The APC campaign council, however, interpreted the revelations as evidence that Atiku had compromised Nigeria’s interests for personal gain.

Mr Alake said the council’s position was reinforced by the financial implications of the arbitration and the prolonged delay in implementing the Mambilla project.

He alleged that the disputed contract contributed to claims against Nigeria running into hundreds of millions of dollars and a separate claim exceeding $2.7 billion.

The APC Campaign spokesperson also compared the Mambilla dispute with the Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) case, which involved a multibillion-dollar claim against Nigeria over a gas project.

Mr Alake further criticised Atiku for not appearing to testify before the arbitration tribunal, while former Presidents Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari testified in proceedings concerning Nigeria’s defence.

He also cited criticisms of Atiku contained in Mr Obasanjo’s book, My Watch, particularly the former president’s allegations concerning corruption, transparency and national interest.

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The APC campaign council urged Atiku to withdraw from the presidential contest, saying the revelations warranted further scrutiny.

It also accused the ADC presidential candidate of bearing responsibility for delays surrounding the Mambilla project and its potential economic benefits to Taraba.

The council said the project, if implemented, could generate substantial economic opportunities for the state and Nigeria.

Atiku has previously denied wrongdoing in connection with corruption allegations concerning the payment and related matters.

(NAN)